Staff
The Forest History Society's knowledgeable staff includes a librarian, archivist, and two historians. They work cooperatively to help everyone understand the many ways in which humans have interacted with the environment over time. The varied expertise of staff members ensures the success of our programs in research, publication, education, and special events.
If you have a research question, email the library and archives staff by clicking HERE. For other inquiries, please contact Jennifer Watson. Other questions might be answered on our FAQ page.
Our contact information is:
Mail:
Forest History Society
2925 Academy Rd.
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 682-9319
Fax: (919) 682-2349
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time.
- Tania Munz, President and CEO
As president and CEO, Tania oversees all FHS programs and operations of the Forest History Society. Before joining FHS in 2023, Tania served as the Chief Program Officer for the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in Cambridge, MA. There, she led the independent research center, which conducts work in areas spanning science, humanities, international affairs, and education. Previously, Tania served as Vice President for Scholarly Programs at the National Humanities Center and as Vice President for Research and Scholarship at the Linda Hall Library, where she oversaw the collections, public services, and scholarly programs. She has taught history of science and environmental history at Princeton University, Sarah Lawrence College, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern University and was a Research Scholar at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin, Germany. Tania holds a PhD in the history of science from Princeton University, a master's degree in the history of science and technology from the University of Minnesota, and a BA from the University of Chicago in the history of science and medicine. She authored the award-winning book The Dancing Bees: Karl von Frisch and the Discovery of the Honeybee Dance Language (University of Chicago Press, 2016).
- Janet Askew, Assistant Director for Administration
Janet is the Society's bookkeeper and is responsible for managing the Society's payroll and financial records.
- Lauren Bissonette, Librarian
Lauren joined the FHS staff in 2020 after first working on digitization projects in the FHS archives. She is responsible for managing the library, oversees volunteers and interns, provides reference assistance for users, and assists with the webinar series Conversations in Forest History. Lauren is our resident expert when it comes to the latest digital technologies deployed in capturing oral history interviews or converting analogue media to digital format. Before coming to FHS, Lauren was a Library Assistant for Wake County, NC. Lauren holds a Master’s of Information in Library Science with a concentration in Cultural Heritage from Simmons University.
- Laura Hayden, Development Associate
Laura joined the FHS staff in 2018. She is working with FHS leadership to broaden the awareness of FHS in the community, increasing corporate support, and bringing new groups and financial support to the FHS Annual Fund. She helps coordinate our webinar series Conversations in Forest History.
- Eben Lehman, Archivist and Director of Library and Archives
Eben joined the FHS staff in 2007. He is responsible for the oversight, management, and long-range planning of the archives and library. He works on the digitization and cataloging of the Society's photograph collection, provides reference assistance, manages the FHS research databases, and processes archival collections. If you need an image or moving footage for your book or film, contact Eben. He co-edits and co-authors the blog "Peeling Back the Bark," coordinates social media communications and outreach, and also assists with the webinar series Conversations in Forest History. His previous archival work includes several years with the Missouri State Archives. Eben earned a Master’s of Science in Library Science from the University of North Carolina but is a lifelong fan of the Duke Blue Devils.
- James Lewis, Historian
A former FHS Bell Travel Grant recipient, Jamie started with FHS in 2003. He has served as editor of and contributor to the Society's magazine Forest History Today since 2007, hosts the webinar series Conversations in Forest History, and co-edits and co-authors the blog "Peeling Back the Bark." In addition, he researches and writes articles, gives public presentations, conducts oral history interviews, provides reference assistance, consults on documentary films, and handles other special writing and editing assignments. Jamie served as a co-executive producer, co-writer, and historical consultant on the FHS-produced award-winning documentary America's First Forest: Carl Schenck and the Asheville Experiment. He is the author of The Forest Service and the Greatest Good: A Centennial History, the companion book to the documentary film, The Greatest Good, and edited the book Lands Worth Saving: The Weeks Act of 1911, the National Forests and the Enduring Value of Public Investment. He holds a PhD in U.S. history from Florida State University, but his heart belongs to James Madison University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees.
- Jennifer Watson, Administrative Assistant
Jennifer brings an excellent skillset to our team as the Society's new office manager. She comes to us from Child Care Services Association, a non-profit in Chapel Hill, NC, and has also worked at BHM Regional Library and the Montessori Public Charter School in Washington, NC.
