Derek Moore, National Corvette Museum Curator
Derek E. Moore of Garrettsville, OH has been named Curator for the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, previously serving as the Crawford Curator of Transportation History at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, OH.
As Curator of Transportation History, Moore was responsible for researching the history of automobiles and aviation of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, developing exhibits and programming on the history of automobiles, aircraft and related transportation technologies. In addition, Moore created and maintained records on the collection, developed lectures, essays and summaries for use in exhibits and publications and was responsible for the conservation and preservation of the 150+ collection of historic vehicles and aircraft.
Prior to his employment at the Western Reserve Historical Society, he served in several roles including Conservation Specialist of the Transportation Collection at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, MI and interned at the Alfred P. Sloan Museum in Flint, MI.
As Curator for the National Corvette Museum, Moore will be responsible for researching, developing and producing exhibits as well as the planning, acquisition and/or loan, safekeeping and cataloging of collection objects and vehicles related to Corvette history.
“The National Corvette Museum is one of the most welcoming environments I’ve experienced. It is an incredible museum and is so unique in that it is focused on one community – and it has that community feeling about it,” said Moore. “One of the biggest challenges currently facing museums is the decreasing number of visitors. Younger generations are losing interest in museums as they turn to more and more handheld technology. To bring them back to the museums, we need to work with that technology and I look forward to helping the NCM add cutting edge technology that will help freshen up the exhibits and get younger generations excited about visiting the museum.”
Moore grew up in St. Charles, MI and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University of Ypsilanti, MI with a Bachelor of Science in History. He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, serves as Treasurer of the National Association of Automobile Museums, and is a past board member of the National Automotive History Collection at the Detroit Public Library.
He and fiancée, Christine Bobco, are auto enthusiasts and currently own several antique vehicles including a 1917 Overland, 1923 Peerless, and a 1961 Ford Falcon, and hope to be adding a Corvette to their collection soon. The couple will relocate to South Central Kentucky in March and his first day at the Museum will be the 6th.
