Getting to Know the Waring's New Curator, JoAnn Zeise

In November 2023, the Waring welcomed its new curator, Ms. JoAnn Zeise, who joins us from Columbia, South Carolina, where she served as the Cultural History Curator at the South Carolina State Museum, a position she held for 15 years. Before that, she was at the McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. JoAnn’s work focuses on public history and material culture, with a specialty in the 18th and 19th century American South. She has been honored to work with community partners and colleagues on projects that promote diversity, accessibility, equity, and inclusion.

JoAnn serves on the board of the Palmetto Archives, Libraries, and Museum Council on Preservation (PALMCOP), the South Carolina Historical Association, the South Carolina Abandoned Cultural Properties Board, the South Carolina Public Archeology Division, and is past board member of the South Carolina Federation of Museums.

Whenever you’re in the around the Waring, feel free to stop by and meet JoAnn.

As the Waring's curator, what does your role encompass?

I am honored to have a role on the Waring and MUSC Library team and support the great work everyone is doing. As curator at Waring, I get to manage and care for the library’s amazing collection of books and objects and help with public programs. Curation is more than collecting. It is also managing, researching, preserving, and sharing what we have while working with our stakeholders to make sure we remain relevant.

What’s the most fascinating thing you’re working on right now?

It has been fascinating to learn about the founding of MUSC during this bicentennial year. Right now, I am just taking the time to gain an overview and grounding in MUSC and medical history. I am excited to dive into the collections and learn all about them.

What changes are on the horizon for the Waring in the coming year?

The renovation is really going to be a big focus on this year and next. We are still in the planning and prepping stages and hope to reopen in 2025. There will be big changes to the building that will let us better care for the collections, give us some new display options, and increase access to the collections.

What is your favorite area of history to study?

Cultural history of any kind. No matter what period or topic, I find myself using that lens to interpret the past. I really enjoy learning about the complex relationships and connections that shaped the past and our understanding of it.

What are your research interests?

The American South, mainly the 18th and 19th century cultural history.

What was the last really great book you read? Why?

The Wager: A Story of Shipwreck Mutiny and Murder by David Grann. Grann is a great storyteller. Also, it had a surprise Charleston connection!

What fictional place would you most like to visit?

Somewhere in the Star Wars universe. Perhaps Naboo since it had a lot of diversity, but Coruscant would be fascinating since it was just one big city.

Pets?

One beagle but she stayed in Columbia, so I miss her a bunch.

What are your hobbies?

Running, reading, camping, cooking, hiking and biking.

What do you do to recharge?

Go outside.

What would you most likely be found doing on the weekend?

There will be at least one run and probably a bike ride. The rest of the time is chilling on the couch watching television or in my comfy chair doing some reading.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate and peanut butter anything and Regency romance novels.

Where was your most favorite vacation? And Why?

That is tough. I’ve been lucky to visit great places with great people. I am always planning new adventures. So, my favorite one is the next one – which might be a tour of ancestral roots in Germany and Sweden.

What's the most important lesson you've learned in the last year?

Last year was a wild one. I guess, I learned to just make the best decision in the moment and roll with what comes next while grounding yourself in the love of friends and family.

What are three items you’d take with you to a deserted island and why?

A fully loaded kindle, a solar charger for it, and a guitar.

If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Peter Gabriel’s In Your Eyes from the live recording during the Secret World Live Tour - all 10 mins of it.