Dr. Harold K. Skramstad Jr., renowned museum practitioner as president emeritus of The Henry Ford, wrote many provocative essays, articles, keynote and symposia papers on the challenges and opportunities of the American museum.
Written over three decades, they address the fundamental issues and concerns that we still wrestle with today. Skramstad reminds us that all museums-big and small-have an obligation to be outwardly focused in their communities, helping to address people's problems and collaborating with a broad range of partners. These dynamic, back-to-basics writings from one of our most successful museum leaders, have inspired museum veterans and are now available to a new generation of readers.
These essays include topics that are introduced by eminent museum professionals who help place the essays in context and relate how these writings have personally affected them. These topics include:
· Defining problems we can address in our community by honing our mission
· Actively and broadly engaging with our community through outreach and partnerships
· Creating entertaining, awe-inspiring educational experiences
· Leading change by empowering team-based work

Nancy E. Villa Bryk is Director of the Graduate Program in Preservation Studies at Eastern Michigan University. Before that, she was Director of Public and School Programs at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, leading programs for Title One students and weekend events. For 25 years, she was the textiles curator at The Henry Ford.

William S. Pretzer is Senior Curator of History Emeritus at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He was a curator at The Henry Ford for 21 years. He edited Working at Inventing, and his most recent publications are contributions to Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures (2023) and What a Dream Can Do (2026).