NEAM Announces New Curatorial Staff

The New England Air Museum is pleased to welcome two distinguished professionals, Joshua D. Taylor and Mike Thornton, to their team. As the museum continues to grow and flourish, these individuals bring with them a wealth of knowledge, passion, and expertise from major institutions.

Collections Manager Josh Taylor comes to the museum from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, bringing his dynamic energy and keen attention to detail.  At the Smithsonian, Josh expertly handled oversized artifacts, ensuring meticulous collections management with The Museum System (TMS). His tenure at the United States Coast Guard Academy showcased his dedication to preserving history and preparing for the future National United States Coast Guard Museum.

“I am excited to return to Connecticut with my experience and skillset working with aircraft in a museum setting,” says Taylor. “NEAM has a tremendous collection and I look forward to caring and growing the collection into an example of collection stewardship.”

With a Master of Arts in History-Museum Studies from SUNY-Oneonta's Cooperstown Graduate Program and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Elmira College, Taylor is well-equipped for his role.

Curator Mike Thornton brings a wealth of knowledge and visionary leadership to the museum. With a Master of Arts in Material Culture and Curatorial Studies from The Bard Graduate Center and a Bachelor of Arts in American History and Documentary Film from Hampshire College, Mike's educational background is firmly rooted in the museum world. His most recent role as Museum Director & Curator at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial showcased his narrative-driven exhibitions that incorporated diverse and unexpected perspectives and collections. Notably, his curated exhibition, "There & Back: The Journey to Vietnam and Home," received critical acclaim, providing an immersive experience for visitors.

“I’m honored to join the team and look forward to working closely with the Board, staff, and volunteers to expand our interpretive scope through compelling exhibitions and displays,” says Thornton.

Together, Thornton and Taylor are poised to drive the New England Air Museum's growth and success. Their combined expertise, innovative thinking, and passion for museum work promise to enrich visitors' experiences and strengthen the museum's position in the aviation and cultural community.

"We are thrilled to have Mike Thornton and Joshua D. Taylor on board," said President and CEO Stephanie Abrams. "Their unique skills and dedication to preserving history and showcasing the future of aviation will be invaluable as we continue on transforming our museum into a destination that connects people with our world-class collection of aircraft.”

Join us in extending a warm welcome to Mike Thornton, Curator, and Joshua D. Taylor, Collections Manager, as we embark on a bright future together at the New England Air Museum.