Prof. Eric Ames
Adjunct Lecturer in Museum Studies Associate Director, Advancement, Exhibits & Community Engagement, Baylor University Libraries
Education
B.A., Public Relations, Texas Tech University
M.A., Museum Studies, Baylor University
Certifications
Professional Certified Marketer, American Marketing Association
Academic and Professional Interests
Eric Ames is Associate Director for Advancement, Exhibits & Community Engagement for the Baylor University Libraries and an adjunct lecturer in Baylor’s Department of Museum Studies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Texas Tech University and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Baylor University. He is the founder of Ames Heritage Consulting, LLC, a marketing, strategic planning, and fundraising consultancy established in Waco in 2016.
Prof. Ames is currently president of the board of directors for the Historic Waco Foundation and previously served as the chair of the Historic Landmark Preservation Commission for the City of Waco and as president of the Hewitt Public Library Advisory Board. He has also served as chair of the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries’ Conference Planning Committee. He has a history of activity with the Texas Association of Museums, the Texas Digital Library and local cultural heritage institutions.
Selected Publications
Books
Hidden History of Waco. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2020.
Images of Modern America: Waco. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2016.
Images of America: Waco. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2009.
Articles
“A True Team Effort: The Baylor University Libraries Athletics Archive.” Microform and Digitization Review journal. March/April 2012 issue.
“More Loving and Less War Letters: The Guthrie Civil War Letters.” STIRPES, the journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society. September 2010.
What is your favorite museum?
At the risk of reinforcing stereotypes about PR people, I will say, "All of them!" And then immediately I will caveat my answer with this: My favorite museum is any museum that takes seriously its mission to hold cultural heritage in perpetual stewardship for the betterment of its community. My favorite museum is one that keeps the lights on and the doors open despite the challenges of economics, logistics, the fragility of collected artifacts, and the vagaries of human nature. My favorite museum is one that thrives even in the face of adversity. And my favorite museum will always be one that finds a way to tell its stories so everyone - the highly educated, the learner, the newcomer, the casual fan, the zealous advocate - can come away from a visit saying, "I feel like I belonged here."
(See also: the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.)
Primary Courses Taught
- Historic Buildings and Sites (U)
- Introduction to Outreach and Community Relations for Museums (U)
- Archival Technology and Digital Collections Management (G)
- Outreach and Community Relations (G)
- Historic Preservation (G)
- Advanced Development, Fundraising, and Grants for Museums (G)