Phillipy Named Director of Tennessee Agricultural Museum

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson today announced the appointment of Gregory Phillipy as director of the Tennessee Agricultural Museum.

“We’re excited to have Greg lead our museum at this critical juncture when we’re trying to expand our efforts to better educate and inform children and adults about the importance of agriculture’s past, present and future,”Johnson said. “Along with his Tennessee roots, he brings extensive experience and knowledge that I believe will help the museum stand out and become more relevant in today’s educational and historical communities.”

Phillipy’s appointment is effective immediately as he assumes responsibilities previously performed by Anne Dale who served the museum for 25 years. In this role, Phillipy will oversee the collection and care of more than 3,500 artifacts.  He will also head the educational and outreach programs for the organization.

“I love the landscape of Tennessee and the opportunity to be a steward of the museum resources and the history of farming in Tennessee,” Phillipy said.

Phillipy’s background in museum management, preservation and education is extensive. He most recently served as the public program director and curator of education at Texas A&M University Art Galleries in College Station, Texas. He was responsible for developing policy and education programming, coordinating events and managing facility operations for the University’s museums and art galleries.

Prior to that Phillipy was curator of education at the Las Cruces Museum of Art in Las Cruces, New Mexico and exhibit specialist with the National Park Service at Fort Union National Monument. With close ties to Tennessee, Phillipy also worked as a park ranger at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton, and as a curator and interpreter at Historic Mansker’s Station Frontier Life Center in Goodlettsville. Furthermore, Pillipy is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

“My appointment as director at the Tennessee Agriculture Museum really is the pinnacle of my career in public service.  Museum work is a calling and becoming part of the Department of Agriculture is truly a privilege,” Phillipy said.

This appointment is a homecoming of sorts for Phillipy who grew up in the Crieve Hall neighborhood of Nashville.  He graduated from John Overton High School and went on to obtain an undergraduate degree in Sculpture/Art History and a master’s degree in Public History/Historic Preservation from Middle Tennessee State University.  Phillipy also earned a master’s degree in Fine Arts at Washington University in St. Louis.

About the Tennessee Agricultural Museum: The Tennessee Agricultural Museum is located at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville and managed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to help educate and inform visitors about the state’s rural heritage and the importance of farming and forestry. More than 25,000 school children and adults visit the museum each year for hands-on, educational activities and special programs. For more information call the Tennessee Agricultural Museum at 615-837-5197 or visit www.tnagmuseum.org