Who We Are
Get to know The Fan Museum's small team of dedicated staff.
Mrs H E Alexander, MBE FRSA
Founder and Director, The Fan Museum
Hélène Alexander has for more than thirty years served as The Fan Museum’s Director. She was born in Alexandria, Egypt and educated at the Lycée Français d’Alexandrie. She holds a degree in History of Art from London University and has been associated with the Victoria and Albert Museum where she worked for 13 years as a volunteer prior to establishing The Fan Museum in partnership with her husband, Mr A V Alexander, CBE.
She has practical experience of work in the theatre, has taught history of art, lectured extensively and written numerous articles and books on the subject of fans – many of which can be purchased via the Museum’s online gift shop.
She has assembled one of the most comprehensive fan collections in the world, and it is this collection upon which The Fan Museum was founded. She has mounted numerous exhibitions of fans in many parts of the country and has lent from her collection to a number of prestigious exhibitions within the UK and abroad.
The Full Time Staff of The Fan Museum
With a wide range of expertise and experience, the small full-time team of staff at The Fan Museum are on hand to help you out.
From left to right: Vidita Gupta, Museum Assistant, Sophie Long, General Manager, Helen Persson Swain, Museum Keeper and Curator, and Will Downie, Buildings Manager.
Mary Kitson, MA
Curatorial Consultant, The Fan Museum
m.kitson@thefanmuseum.org.uk
Mary has worked part-time with The Fan Museum since 2002, and lectures freelance on fans of all periods and types, but with a special emphasis on the Grand Tour and the late 18th century.
Mary is the Hon. Membership Secretary of The Fan Circle International and a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers.
