Museum Staff

Director / Curator, Luther Lyle

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Director and Chief Curator Luther Lyle has been with the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina since day one and has worked with the Board of Directors to increase the size and mission of the Museum.

Internship Program Manager / Web & Social Media Technician, Hannah Cartee Interiano

Art Department alum from Clemson University. Graduated in 2016. Established the Internship Program in 2017 to further help students gain experience within the museum field. Organizing and handling artifacts, along with documenting pieces within the Museum database system. Curating the Museum space and managing the website and social media outlets. She enjoys teaching others history while learning something new herself.

Intern, Ryan Sease

From Greenville, SC, Ryan is currently attending Elon University and will graduate in 2025. His Major is in History and Museum Studies along with a Minor in Public Histories. He is currently working on improving historical maps and cataloging artifacts at the Museum.

Board Members

Chairman of the Board, Ted Brewer

Secretary / Treasurer, Sarai Melendez

Francoise Fussell

Hannah Cartee Interiano

Mike White

Hugh Lambert

Luther Lyle

Frank Stewart

Tiffany Bruce

Former Board Members, Staff, Interns & Volunteers

Former Intern

2023

Emma Gordon

With Experience in archaeological studies, Emma has exercised her knowledge and skills at the museum along with sharing wonderful dig stories with us as well. During her time at the museum, she was able to be involved in cataloging, handling artifacts and learn about the rich Cherokee history in the region.   

Former Assistant Director / Curator

2021-2022

Lori Johnson

Master of Fine Arts Degree with a concentration in Drawing at Clemson University in 2021. She has helped write grants, welcome guests, research Cherokee history, and assisted in curatorial duties, along with collaborating with the Museum’s Interns.

Former Docent / Intern

2022

Jennifer Ramirez

She studied Drawing in the Visual Arts Undergraduate Program at Clemson University. Alongside composing nuanced and powerful drawings at Clemson, Jennifer used her artistic abilities to create crafts for the Museum’s gift shop.

Former Intern

2020-2021

Madeline Watkins

Bachelor in Fine Arts Degree at Clemson University. She is a descendent from the Catawba Tribe. She has helped welcome guests, research Cherokee history, and assisted in curatorial duties.

Former Intern

2020-2021

Naomi Lemon

She studied Language and International Business at Clemson University. Naomi has been involved in organizing and cataloging the collection for the Museum’s forthcoming research library.

Former Docent / Intern

2018-2021

Denise Ayers

From northern Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati, Ohio. Attended Clemson University where she received a Masters of Fine Arts degree. Other than a career in studio arts, she has gained experience in museum work, specifically in collections management. During her time at the museum, she was able to develop skills in cataloging, handling artifacts and learn about the rich Cherokee history in the region.   

Former Intern

2018-2020

Annamarie Williams

From Midland, Michigan. She graduated from Alma College with her BFA in 2017 and went on to pursue a graduate degree from Clemson where she earned her MFA in 2019. She came to the museum in November of 2018 with an interest in small library management. Her background in library studies enabled Williams to create the library at the Museum of the Cherokee in Walhalla. The combination of library management, museum studies and art allowed Williams to pursue her career as a curator.

Former Intern

2018-2019

Kimberly Cramer

From Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate student from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln getting a master’s degree in material culture and textile studies. She gained experience with artifacts and displays while getting insight into how a small museum runs. Her main task during my internship was to organize the files on the computer in the research room. However, as her degree has a focus in textiles, the museum director and docent helped her create and install a reproduction of a 1700s Cherokee man’s shirt and matchcoat.