Debra Schmidt Bach, Ph.D., currently serves as the Director of Exhibitions at Mystic Seaport Museum since August 2024. Prior to this role, Debra held various positions at the New-York Historical Society, starting as Associate Curator of Decorative Arts from 2006 to 2015, progressing to Curator of Decorative Arts from 2015 to 2024, and later taking on the role of Curator of Decorative Arts and Special Exhibitions. Debra earned a Ph.D. in American Decorative Arts and Material Culture from Bard Graduate Center, specializing in Decorative Arts, Design History, and Material Culture.