~ Press release provided by Marquis Who’s Who
SHENANDOAH, Aug. 5 — The current curator of the Town of Shenandoah’s Museum and Welcome Center, Lora Turner, has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Turner has earned a distinguished reputation as the curator of the Town of Shenandoah Museum and Welcome Center, a role she accepted in 2023. Her position involves offering guided tours, answering visitors’ questions about the town’s history and recommending area activities. She also manages new donations and items on loan, creates exhibit signage and maintains comprehensive, accurate museum records.
Turner counts her work to enhance the museum’s offerings by building upon the foundation laid by her predecessor as her signature career accomplishment to date, and she is proud to have installed an events timeline, a dedicated children’s room, and a 24-hour live stream of the nearby rail yard, which holds historical significance for Shenandoah.
Before progressing to her current position, Turner served as the town clerk for the Town of Shenandoah from 2020 to 2023. In this role, she recorded minutes during town council and planning commission meetings and assisted the public with utility bill payments. During her tenure as town clerk, she also collaborated to help transition a small collection of historical items housed in the town hall into a full-fledged museum. When the previous curator retired, Turner’s background in history made her the ideal candidate for the leadership position.
Beyond her academic and professional achievements, Turner is a designated expert in the history of Shenandoah. She deploys her deep understanding of the town’s legacy to craft captivating stories and insights about the town’s past to more thoroughly engage museum visitors. In recognition of the museum’s contributions to the community, the Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce honored it with the prestigious Hospitality Business of the Year award in 2024; as museum curator, Turner accepted the award.
A passion for continuous learning prompted Turner to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in history from James Madison University, which she completed in 2001. She counts personal attributes such as unwavering dedication, strong work ethic and the ability to learn quickly as instrumental in her advancement, helping her to efficiently manage complex projects with confidence. Additionally, Turner is humbled to have played a pivotal role in strengthening the museum’s foundation and refining its overarching mission.
To achieve balance, Turner enjoys photography, traveling and experimenting with different cuisines, activities that inspire and inform her professional pursuits with fresh perspectives. Looking toward the future, she aims to further develop the Town of Shenandoah Museum to elevate awareness of it, and Turner aims to attract more visitors who can benefit from the institution’s offerings, continuing to enrich the cultural landscape of Shenandoah.
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America®remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world.
For more information about the
Town of Shenandoah’s Museum and Welcome Center,
•••
RELATED ARTICLES
BRB wins Enhancement Award, Jenkins named museum curator and other Shenandoah news
Town museum losing curator, request for paving bids, and other news from Shenandoah
Shenandoah unveils new museum and welcome center with impressive collection of artifacts
Wonderful
Wel deserved!
A formidable person, always professional and a pleasure to have worked with in my time at the Shenandoah’s USPS. Lots of great folks in this community. Congratulations.