REBECCA PHIPPS, LEFT, director of the Watkins Community Museum of History, and Kerry Lippincott arrange a display case for a needlework display. Lippincott is the museum's new curator.

Kerry Lippincott, 25, didn’t imagine she would end up in Kansas while growing up in Gorham, N.Y.

But Lippincott said Lawrence “felt like home” when she moved here about two years ago to pursue a master’s degree in museum studies at Kansas University.

Her move west for education ended up landing her a job as curator at the Watkins Community Museum of History .

“I’m just very excited to be part of the museum,” said Lippincott. “It’s just a great place and we have so much going on.”

Lippincott decided she wanted to enter the field of museum studies as a high school student.

She said she had a love of American and women’s history since she was young. She had been told by high school officials the only way she could incorporate that love was either by becoming a teacher or writing history textbooks.

Writing textbooks didn’t appeal to Lippincott, and she didn’t want to teach in a classroom.

“But we had a shadow day my junior year,” she said. “I ended up at the Rochester Museum of Science and was paired with a museum curator and educator. I loved being there. It was the best day.”

Lippincott said she knew she was hooked when she had the opportunity to help with a photo shoot. Wearing special gloves, she was able to touch and move a quilt made by Susan B. Anthony.

“It was just an amazing experience,” she said. “I love working with historic objects and the public. So, I knew this would be the right job for me.”

Lippincott had been working as a curator and administrative assistant at the Leavenworth County Historical Society since she graduated from KU. She began working at Watkins in January.

Watkins museum officials conducted a national search to find a new curator after Alison Miller resigned last summer.

About 50 people applied for the job. But familiarity with Lippincott and her work made the former intern a standout among the candidate pool, Phipps said.

Lippincott said she planned to begin a monthly story time with children connecting books to historical events. She said she also has some ideas for adult education and future temporary exhibits at the museum.

The Douglas County Historical Society is responsible for the operation, preservation and development of collections in the Watkins Community Museum of History. The society is a nonprofit organization.