Sean FitzGibbons

Charlotte McCoy

Charlotte McCoy brings 30 years of communication/marketing experience to the History Museum on the Square. After graduating with a master’s degree in Communications from the University of Missouri-Columbia, she and her husband, Scott, relocated with his career for 10 years before moving back to Missouri. While moving, Charlotte was able to continue with her career in various industries, including consumer packaged goods, retail, and fast food. Scott and Charlotte were able to move back to Missouri and call Springfield home in 1998. Charlotte spent 15 years as Marketing/Special Events Director at Discovery Center of Springfield and recently was Partnership Strategist with GigSalad.

Joan Hampton-Porter

Joan Hampton-Porter is responsible for the care of approximately 100,000 artifacts in the museum’s collection. She curates and constructs approximately 3 to 4 exhibits per year. She gives lectures and programs as needed. Joan has an M.A. in History with an emphasis in Museum Studies from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and a B.A. in Middle School Education with an emphasis in Social Science and Language Arts from Fontbonne College.

Elisabeth Barber

Elisabeth Barber joined the museum team in 2021, taking on the role of Archivist. She moved to Springfield in 2018 to attend Missouri State University, where she earned her B.A. in History and an Undergraduate Certificate in Museum Studies. While completing her degree, Elisabeth gained experience working with collections and archives by working as an Archival and Curatorial intern for the History Museum and as an Archival intern for the Missouri State Archives- Local Records Program. Her research has been featured in two exhibits and she has presented her research at the Second Annual Missouri Egyptological Symposium & Educators’ Workshop. She will also be presenting her research and conservation of a Mande Bala Xylophone at the Missouri Archaeological Society Annual Meeting in April 2022. While completing her history degree, her research primarily focused how propaganda affected the experiences of ethnic and racial minorities and women in the United States from 1900 to 1945. Elisabeth is passionate about helping museums become more representative of the diverse population of the United States, as well as making museums more accessible to all patrons.

Meg Pearson

Meg was raised in Southeast Missouri and received her Bachelor of Arts in History and certificate in Museum Studies from Arkansas State University in May of 2019.  She volunteered at the History Museum on the Square beginning January of 2020, led Haunted History Walking Tours in Fall 2020 and 2021, and began as the Visitor Experience Coordinator in November of 2021.  Meg believes that storytelling and learning about our shared past is a special part of our growth, community, and culture. She sees history as a great unifier and is excited to be part of the team making history accessible and engaging at the History Museum on the Square.

Whitney Mosley

As Museum Educator, Whitney Mosley shares her love for learning with visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Her involvement with the History Museum on the Square began in 2020, working as the Diversity and Inclusion intern and, later, as a volunteer for educational programs and presentations. A local to southwest Missouri, she graduated from Missouri State University with a B.A. in Art History and an Undergraduate Certificate in Museum Studies. She officially joined the museum team in 2021 as Visitor Experience Associate before taking on her current role. Whitney is passionate about public education and is an advocate for accessibility and diversity in museums. She is delighted to help provide educational resources for her community and is proud to help share the history of Springfield and Greene County with such engaged audiences.

Sarah Dotson

Sarah Dotson was born and raised in southern Missouri. She attended Ozarks Technical Community College where she received an Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Media Production. After spending some time in Washington state, Sarah returned to Springfield to attend Missouri State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art and Culture with an emphasis in Museum Studies. Sarah worked as an Art History Area Assistant and Grant Research Assistant while attending MSU and completed internships with Christian County Museum, Springfield Art Museum, and Springfield Regional Arts Council. Her research has been featured in the Christian County Historian newsletter and several public exhibitions. She has presented papers at the MSU Annual Intercollegiate Art History Symposium, Springfield’s First Friday Art Talk series, the Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting, and the Missouri Archaeological Society Annual Meeting.

John Sellars

John Sellars is a native Springfieldian who was executive director of the History Museum on the Square from 2005-2022. In March 2022, he became Executive Director Emeritus. He began his career with the museum as a volunteer when it began as a part of the bicentennial celebration in 1976. After his retirement from a career in marketing in the beverage industry, John returned to Springfield and retired in 2004. He and his wife, Jane, a retired schoolteacher, have five children and seven grandchildren.