Scott Bradley

Scott Bradley assumed the position of Executive Director with the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society in January 2020.  Mr. Bradley, who reports to the Board of Directors, is responsible for implementing the Society’s strategic plan as well as managing all aspects of the Thunder Bay Museum including programming, finances, facility management, fundraising, staff supervision, volunteers, long term planning, etc.  He also deals with media relations, promotions, contract administration, facility maintenance, oversee, motivate, encourage, and energize people, build relationships with external stakeholders, and create an impact in the social, cultural, and political environment in which the organization operates.

Scott previously worked for the National Museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio from 2002 to 2019.  Scott worked in the Collection Management Division of the National Museum, as a project manager for capital projects, exhibits, and assisting in the management of the artifact collection, specializing in uniforms, firearms, and munitions.

Scott earned a Bachelor of Arts in History (minor in Anthropology) in 2003 from Wright State University, in Dayton, Ohio.  He earned his Masters of Arts in Public History in 2005 again from Wright State University.

Mr. Bradley’s journey to Canada from Ohio is a complex one.  Born in 1980, he lived the first 9 years of his life with his parents on a back-to-the-earth farm in Meigs County, Ohio.  After his parents divorce he lived the remainder of his childhood in Yellow Springs, Ohio (with weekend and summer visits to the farm).  Much of Mr. Bradley’s childhood was associated with farm life and the outdoors.  Through school he was a competitive swimmer with the Dayton Raiders swim club and went on to swim on scholarship the first two years of university.  Another passion was Dungeons and Dragons, which Mr. Bradley played regularly from the age of 10.  It sparked his passion for history and learning.

Mr. Bradley is a long time medieval re-enactor with the Society for Creative Anachronism.  He got started with the SCA in the spring of 2000.  The SCA is a worldwide non-profit educational organization dedicated to experimental archaeology.  He participates in full armoured western martial arts, archery, sewing, cooking, brewing, leatherworking, and many other crafts.  For his fighting proficiency Mr. Bradley has been recognized in the organization with the rank of Knight of the Order of Chivalry. He is also a novice woodworker building furniture around his house as needed.  In addition he enjoys hiking, gardening, camping, video games, movies, and of course spending family time with his wife Jennifer and their two children.

Awards & Honours

• United States Air Force, Exemplary Civilian Service Award, September 2018
• United States Air Force, History and Museum Program: Air Force Heritage Award, leader of team for the 4th Building Project
• United States Air Force, Meritorious Civilian Service Award, April 2017
• United States Air Force, History and Museum Program: Air Force Heritage Award, part of team for the exhibit Whispering Death: The F-111A in Southeast Asia
• United States Air Force, History and Museum Program: Air Force Heritage Award, part of team for the exhibit Destruction from High Above: The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress in Southeast Asia
• United States Air Force, Notable Achievement Award, September 2012
• United States Air Force, Civilian Achievement Award, August 2012
• United States Air Force, History and Museum Program: Air Force Heritage Award, part of team for the exhibit Countering MiGs: Air-to-Air Combat over North Vietnam exhibit, March 2012
• Air Force Material Command Inspector General’s Office, Outstanding Performer, March 2012
• United States Air Force, Air Force Recognition Ribbon, July 2007 (Air Force History Program Exhibit Team Award for the exhibit Return with Honor: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia)
• United States Air Force, Notable Achievement Award, September 2006
• United States Air Force, Civilian Achievement Award, November 2003

Mr. Bradley is an occasional contract lecturer for Museum Studies at Lakehead University.  He has been a regular presenter at the USAF History and Museums Career Program, Curatorial Course as well as an occasional presenter at the Smithsonian, National Air and Space Museum’s Mutual Concerns Conference.  Mr. Bradley also gave annual lectures at Wright State University to first year graduate students on hazards in museum artifact collections.  He currently sits on the Ontario Historical Society’s Museum and Affiliate Committee, chair of the City of Thunder Bay’s Tourism Investment Committee, and is the chair of the Arts and Heritage Alliance of Thunder Bay (AHA).