Financial History Issue 117 (Spring 2016) | Page 9

MUSEUM NEWS

THE TICKER

Volunteer docent Andrew Schmidt has had a long and varied history with the Museum . He became interested in the institution when it was the “ Museum of American Financial History ,” housed in the Standard Oil Building at 26 Broadway . After his first visit , he joined as a member and vividly recalls participating in a tour of the New York Mercantile Exchange for Museum members , during which the group had the opportunity to visit the palladium pits on the trading floor .

Andrew majored in math at Boston State College ( subsequently incorporated into the University of Massachusetts at Boston ) and obtained an MS in computer science from Marist College . Although his background is not in finance , he said he has been interested in the subject since his early teens , when he spent time on Wall Street while visiting his family in Queens .

Andrew ’ s first job was as a YMCA youth director , after which he held positions in the computer departments of two companies prior to joining IBM in 1983 . He worked at IBM for 31 years until

Andrew Schmidt ( right ) and Director of Education Chris Meyers on the NYSE floor .

his retirement on October 1 , 2013 , and he began volunteering at the Museum the following month . He holds the distinction of commuting the farthest of any volunteer — traveling over two hours from Poughkeepsie every Thursday to give tours to Museum visitors .

At the Museum , Andrew particularly enjoys working with high school and college groups . “ I really like giving them a sense of the importance of financial history , as well as Alexander Hamilton ’ s place in society ,” he said .

In April , Andrew traveled much farther than his commute to New York City for the benefit of the Museum . He visited two North Carolina sites — the Reed Gold Mine in Carrabus County and the site of the original US Mint in Charlotte — to research an article for Financial History magazine . His article on the North Carolina Gold Rush is scheduled to run in the Summer 2016 edition of the magazine .

When he is not volunteering , Andrew enjoys traveling , especially to London , where one of his favorite sites is the Bank of England ’ s money museum . He is also the treasurer of a walking club called the Volkssport Club at West Point and holds an Amateur Radio Extra Class license ( call sign W2BOS ). He is married , with two married daughters , an 18-month-old grandson and another grandchild on the way .

Jun 23

Jul 12

Jul 21

Ellen Feingold , curator of the Smithsonian ’ s National Numismatic Collection on “ The Value of Money .” Talk followed by Q & A and book signing . 12:30 – 1:30 p . m . $ 5 includes Museum admission ; members and students free .

Author Jeff Gramm on Dear Chairman : Boardroom Battles and the Rise of Shareholder Activism . Talk followed by Q & A and book signing . 12:30 – 1:30 p . m . $ 5 includes Museum admission ; members and students free .

Damien Cregeau on “ Mad Men in the Age of Downton Abbey : New York ’ s Landmark Buildings in the Early 20th Century .” Presentation followed by Q & A . 12:30 – 1:30 p . m . $ 5 includes Museum admission ; members and students free .

Aug 17 Author and historian Edward Lengel on First Entrepreneur : How George Washington Built His — and the Nation ’ s — Prosperity . Talk followed by Q & A and book signing . 12:30 – 1:30 p . m . $ 5 includes Museum admission ; members and students free .

For more information or to register online , visit www . moaf . org / events .

www . MoAF . org | Spring 2016 | FINANCIAL HISTORY 7