BY: MONIQUE HOCHSTELTER

Working in a collections case at my internship.

Hello! My name is Monique Hochstetler, and I am a recent graduate from Indiana University’s Museum Studies program. I am interested in pursuing a career in collections management where I can connect local communities to museums through collaborative work.  

Growing up in a small town, there wasn’t much for me to do other than read and listen to stories. I have distinct memories of my librarian and Grandpa telling me stories. This love of stories then blossomed into a love of history. After all, what is history if not one big evolving story?  

While I was pursuing my History degree, I got a job as an Archival Assistant and that fostered my love for historic and cultural preservation. This newfound passion of mine is what eventually led me to collections work. However, while I was studying the proper techniques and practices, I learned that not all objects are treated equally. Some objects have culturally defined care specifications, which then affect how the collections manager approaches that artifact. While every object demands respect and attention, the community from which the object came demands the same.  

You may be thinking, “but how can you tell stories through collections care?” And I would say, that’s a good question. If done well, the collections held by the museum will reflect the community the museum serves. The museum can tell the community’s story through the objects the community entrusts them to preserve for future generations. The collections space should be one big visual story book that the community has written, but has entrusted the museum to share.  

Full Portfolio Link: https://moniquehochstetler.wixsite.com/my-site-2

Mo Hochstetler received her MA in Museum Studies in May 2025.