Profile of Toni Thomas
Originally published in Smithsonian’s The Torch, Oct. 2008
January 3, 2008 marked an important milestone for Toni Thomas: the 30-year anniversary of her start date at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM). This month, she will have cause to celebrate again, as she transitions into retirement and leaves her longtime post as Loan Manager for the Division of Space History (DSH). Reflecting back on her career, Toni shared warm memories of her colleagues and of her myriad projects and experiences at SI.
NASM opened its doors to the public in 1976 and Toni was hired in 1978 by the late Donald Lopez, who at the time was serving as chairman of the aeronautics department. Major General Michael Collins was director of NASM, and Toni remembers her first few months on the job very fondly. “I was honored to work for my first four months under Michael Collins,” Toni said. “That was a highlight.” Eventually, Lopez was promoted to deputy director (Collins became undersecretary of the Smithsonian) and in 1994, Toni joined the staff in the DSH. One year later, she took over the task of overseeing all incoming and outgoing museum loansa daunting responsibility, but one for which Toni turned out to be perfectly suited.
Toni has found success in her role of Loan Manager through maintaining close associations with all borrowing institutions. As she explained, museum loans “are not just about processing paperwork,” which is why she developed a system of attaching a specific contact person to each loan to prevent miscommunication and foster long-term relationships with SI Affiliates and other museums. Toni emphasized that keeping registrars happy is another key component of her job, since they are the gatekeepers of museum collections.
Not all of Toni’s work has happened behind a desk, however. She has logged many hours on the road, delivering and picking up spacesuits all around the country. Because she frequently traveled with her colleague Amanda Young, the duo came to be known around NASM as “The Thelma and Louise Team.” Toni recalls road-trips to Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, and Michigan, and once was even flown out to Japan on loan business.
In 30 years, Toni has witnessed a great deal of expansion at NASM, such as the construction of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which opened in 2003. “It was fascinating to watch the facility grow and be completed and I love seeing objects exhibited that I brought there on loan,” said Toni. Before the Hazy Center was built, the Paul E. Garber Facility functioned as a satellite location of NASM. When the Garber Facility was open to the public during the 90s (it now is the site for artifact preservation, restoration and storage and only accessible by staff), Toni was instrumental in orchestrating open houses for visitors which featured educational programs for adults and children’s activities such as kite-making.
Toni’s participation in the SI community goes beyond her duties at NASM she has been extensively involved with the Affiliates program and was given an award for her work in that area in 2004. She has also acted as an SI representative on over 40 trips sponsored by the Smithsonian Journeys program and traveled everywhere from Switzerland to Alaska to the Grand Canyon. Inspired by the various SI initiatives designed to promote healthy living, Toni currently leads staff members on invigorating lunchtime walks around the Mall. “We walk every day and we’re called the No Back Fat Step Ups Club,” she said with a chuckle.
As her retirement approaches, Toni admits she feels a little like Thelma and Louise in the climatic final scene of the movie, at the edge of a cliff with no way to turn back. She is, however, looking forward traveling, enjoying friends and family and attempting to master the game of golf. “I hate that game and it hates me,” she said, “but I’m going to give it one more try.” She is especially eager to spend time with her mother, who is 90-years-old and suffering from severe vascular dementia. Toni’s legacy will live on long after her last day at NASM and she will undoubtedly be missed by her close-knit staff. “No matter what,” said Toni, “I will always be a museum person and an aviation person.”