Prycer Consulting

About Melissa

The Basics

Melissa Prycer is an experienced leader in small museums and nonprofit organizations, helping institutions become more efficient, sustainable, and impactful in serving their communities. She is passionate about connecting people, broadening perspectives, and bringing hidden or complicated stories from our collective history to life in accessible and engaging ways. Her ongoing research focuses on early 20th-century women’s history, African American history, and local history, reflecting her commitment to illuminating underrepresented narratives and fostering deeper community understanding.

Fun Facts

  • In 2025, I visited 47 museums! Favorite museum visits of the year include: Carillon Historical Park (Dayton, OH), Visionary Art Museum (Baltimore), Columbus Museum of Art (Ohio), National Public Housing Museum (Chicago), and Harriet Beecher Stowe House (Ohio).
  • My favorite part of consulting is getting to know your community. What makes you special? What else do I need to see while I’m in the area? And are there any tasty breweries of distilleries nearby?
  • My other favorite part of consulting is celebrating your wins and being your cheerleader as you continue to move your organization forward.
  • I read. A lot. Last year, I hit 95 books–and I’m always happy to provide suggestions. I really love Young Adult fiction, and one of my favorite days of the year is the North Texas Teen Book Festival.My favorite book of all time is Anne of Green Gables. And like any good museum person, I’ve assembled quite a collection relating to Anne.
  • Literary historic sites are some of my favorites! It’s a real honor to serve on the board of the Betsy-Tacy Society in Mankato, MN.

Museum Philosophy

I believe that visiting a museum shouldn’t be a special occasion, but a regular part of people’s lives.

I believe that museums should be active members of their community and help fulfill the community’s needs, from opening spaces for community meetings to providing engaging programming.

I believe that everyone likes history; it’s our job to open the doors.

I believe that children belong in museums.

I believe that exhibits, interpretation and programming should reflect many voices, especially those of the community.

Contact me

Selected Publications and Conference Presentations

  • Cracking the Code: The Secret to Fundraising Success (AASLH 2025)
  • The Littlest Historians (AASLH 2020)
  • Community: What is it and why do we need it? (TAM 2020)
  • “Not Organizing for the Fun of It”: Suffrage, War, and Dallas Women in 1918,” (Dallas History Conference 2019). Published in Legacies, Spring 2019.
  • Changing Neighborhood, Changing Museum (TAM 2018)
  • The Road to Success: Exploring the Intersection Between Planning and Innovation (AASLH 2018)
  • Whiskey for My Staff and Beer for my Llamas: Corporate Partnerships (AASLH 2018)
  • Making History Relevant (TAM 2017)
  • Passing the Torch: One Museum’s Story (AASLH 2016)
  • “Big Fish, Small Pond: How to Effectively Advocate in Your Community.” in Positioning Your Museum as a Critical Community Asset, edited by Robert P. Connolly and Elizabeth A. Bollwerk. Rowman and Littlefield, 2016.
  • Article: “Can You Trust Teenagers with History?” History News, Summer 2013. 
  • A Larger Housekeeping: Dallas Women During World War I. (Dallas History Conference 2008). Published in Legacies, Spring 2008.
  • Article: ”The Hectic Flush: The Fiction and Reality of Consumption in L. M. Montgomery’s Life.”  in The Intimate Life of L. M. Montgomery, edited by Irene Gammel, published by University of Toronto Press, 2005.

Community Service

For the American Association for State and Local History

  • America250 Programmatic Theme Task Force, 2021.
  • Board, Small Museums Committee, 2014-present; Chair, 2016-2018.
  • Steering Committee for STEPS Revision, 2018.
  • Program Committee, 2016-2018

For the American Alliance of Museums

  • Accreditation Reviewer, 2020-present
  • Peer Reviewer for Museum Assessment Program, 2010-present
  • Named to Education Task Force to determine future standards of museum education, 2018.

For the Texas Association of Museums

  • TAM Council, Councillor-at-Large, 2010-2014.
  • Chair of TAM Educators’ Committee, 2007-2009.
  • Secretary of TAM Educators’ Committee, 2005-2007. 

For My Community

  • Founding Board Member, Badge of Pride
  • Board Member, Betsy-Tacy Society
  • Member, Working Group for Recontextualization of Fair Park and Memorial to Victims of Lynching, Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Dallas; 2018-2019.
  • Dallas History Conference Steering Committee, 2014-2021.
  • Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition, Board, 2015-present.
  • Member, Steering Committee. PD317 Zoning, City of Dallas; 2019-2020.
  • Co-founder of the Informal Educators of Dallas County, 2010.