Staff
Robert M. Brown, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Phone: 728.3476 ext. #1
Email
"Dr. Bob" received his Ph.D. in Early American History from the University of New Hampshire in 1983 with his dissertation, "The Loyalists of New Hampshire: Surely We Have Deserved A Better Future." He worked at museums in New Hampshire, Indiana, and Massachusetts before becoming the director of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in 1991. When not being "Dr. Bob," he can often be found wandering around town as Captain C.P. Higgins, founder of Missoula or Major Charles Rawn, founder of Fort Missoula; he is often confused as to who he is.
Nicole Webb
Curator of Collections
Phone: 728.3476 ext. #2
Email
Nicole graduated with a bachelor's degree in both art history and anthropology from the Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. She then completed her master's degree in Historical Administration at Eastern State University in Charleston, Illinois. Before making the cross-country trip to Missoula, most of her experience came from working at various art galleries and museums in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Now, she can be found getting her hands dirty in the Collections Department at the Fort! In her free time, Nicole enjoys discovering the wide-open Big Sky Country with her boyfriend, kitties and dog!
Dorene Might-Dyer
Director of Education
Phone: 728.3476 ext. #3
Email
Dorene graduated with a B.S. degree in education from Bowling Green State University, Ohio with additional continuing ed. graduate credits. She has over 30 years experience in the field of education with museums, zoos, theatre, environmental education, and classroom teaching in Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, and California. Dorene is commonly seen with her faithful canine, Juneau.
Diane Sands
Development Officer
Phone: 728.3476 ext. #6
Email
Growing up on Fort Peck Indian Reservation, the granddaughter of homesteaders, Diane developed an early passion for Montana history. After formal education at The University of Montana and The George Washington University, she began a 4 decade long adventure as a founding mother of women's history and women's studies. Trained at the Smithsonian in oral history, she started the MT Oral History Association and has recorded hundreds of interviews on subjects ranging from the Fire of 1910 to the building of Fort Peck Dam to Jeannette Rankin. Her current passion is the history of Fort Missoula as a WWII Alien Detention Camp. In her other life, Diane loves politics and is honored to serve in the Montana House of Representatives on behalf of Missoula.
Carolyn Thompson
Education Assistant
Phone: 728.3476 ext. #4
Email
Carolyn Thompson graduated in 1990 with a bachelor's in social work from the University of Montana. After graduation Carolyn worked for a HUD demonstration project preschool and then worked as a case manager/ rehab specialist for the Western Montana Mental Health Center for 7 years. In 1999 she left social work to pursue a full time position as domestic goddess/mother with the birth of her daughter. After 9 years at home and a variety of part-time jobs, Carolyn re-entered the work field and began the next chapter of her life as the Education Assistant at The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in the summer of 2007.
Sharon Garner
Museum Aide
Sharon works on the weekends facilitating a positive museum experience for visitors and group events. She has a B.A. from the University of Montana and is a native of Missoula. She held a number of different positions before coming to the Historical Museum in 2003 including working at the UM Admissions Office where she learned the value of great customer service. Time outside of the museum is mostly spent working on freelance historical research projects.
