Patricia (Patti) Williams

Bio

Is a firm believer in the essential role that Archives can serve in creating a more just society by providing citizens access to important history that is vital to collective memory and local and national identity.

Patti is currently the Head of the Archives Center at the National Museum of American History (NMAH). Before joining NMAH, Patti was an archivist at the National Air and Space Museum Archives most recently as the Deputy Chair of the Department. In all, Patti has over 35 years of archival experience at the Smithsonian Institution. At NASM, Patti oversaw all incoming archival acquisitions and stretched NASM to collect in new areas and from a more diverse range of donors and perspectives. She also planned and oversaw digitization projects and digital access to archival materials. She has a BA in History from Bethel College (KS) and a Master of Library Science from the University of Maryland.