Sara Schechner

Sara J. Schechner, PhD is an award winning quilter, curator, and historian of science whose work bridges the worlds of science, history, and art. Her quilts tell stories, express feelings, and embody ideas. Her quilts have been juried into national and international shows, including the International Quilt Festival in Houston, and various Quilt Fests around the US. They have been displayed in museums and galleries, and recognized in publications. ¿ Schechner is the David P. Wheatland Curator Emerita of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University, retiring in 2024 after a quarter century of service. Schechner earned degrees from Harvard and Cambridge in physics and the history and philosophy of science. Before returning to Harvard's History of Science Department, Schechner was chief curator at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, and curated exhibits for the Smithsonian Institution, the American Astronomical Society, and the American Physical Society. She has authored and edited many books and articles, and curated numerous exhibitions. Her research, teaching, and exhibition work has earned her many prestigious international awards. She remains active in international societies related to historic preservation and history of science.