Jennifer Lemak is a time-traveler. She could start mornings off in the Ice Age tending to a giant mastodon; when lunch rolls around, she might be hanging out in 1920s Harlem; and the late afternoon could find her amid the debris of the World Trade Center contemplating the events of 9/11. There are also meetings, VIP tours, visits to the restoration unit, and lunch at her desk. That’s life as chief curator of history for the New York State Museum. UAlbany Magazine hopped into Lemak’s time machine for a mind-bending behind-the-scenes trip through the museum.
Museum exhibitions may appear frozen in time, but they actually require constant attention. Here, Lemak and her coworker remove artifacts from the Tuck High Co. Chinatown store window, a popular ongoing exhibition, to install a display celebrating the Lunar New Year. Tuck High was a store operated by the Lee Family for 100 years on Mott Street in New York City. After it closed in 1980, the store and its contents were acquired by the museum to create the exhibit.
Lemak poses in her office in front of a bookcase — one of several — filled with books on the history of art, pottery, furniture, antiques and so much more.
A deer figure from the NYSM Carousel awaits refurbishing in collections storage. The full-sized carousel dates to between 1912-1916 and features 36 hand-carved horses, two deer, two donkeys and several custom seats.
The Museum has a vast collection of more than 2,000 pewter and lead war figurines representing conflicts from Hannibal’s invasion of Rome to the Civil War
Visiting the collections storage that houses a dizzying array of more than 5 million historical objects ranging from Governor Dewitt Clinton’s imposing office chair, mid-century television receivers and modern mass-produced toys.
Gloves are often required for handling certain items to prevent oils from transferring to the objects and causing damage
Pieces from the museum’s decorated stoneware collection.
Lemak’s book, “Southern Life, Northen City,” chronicles the migration of Black southerners to Albany’s Rapp Road community.
Illegal cheetah furs confiscated from JFK airport after the Endangered Species Act went into effect in 1973.
This medal was given by George Washington to Isaac Van Wart, one of three militia men who captured British Major John Andre who was carrying the plans to secure British control over the American fortification at West Point
It takes a team. Lemak walks with fellow UAlbany alum Brad Utter, the museum’s senior historian of transportation and industry.
UAlbany Magazine welcomes your comments and we encourage a respectful and on-topic dialogue. Comments that violate our guidelines will be removed.
