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William Dalrymple (historian)
Cynthia Yao (1940-) is the founder and former executive director of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.[1]
Early Life and Education
Yao was born in Kingston, Jamaica to parents who immigrated from China.[2] She attended Emmanuel College in Boston, where she met her future husband, Edward York-Peng Yao.[3] In 1979 she earned a Master of Museum Practice from the University of Michigan.[2]
Career
Inspired by visiting hands-on science centers like the San Francisco Exploratorium with her four children, Yao had the idea to start a children's museum in Ann Arbor.[4] She and fellow volunteers worked to transform the city's former fire station into the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, which opened its doors in 1982.[5][6]
Awards
Yao was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2005.[7]
References
- ^ "Michigan Women 's Hall of Fame honors 10 new members". Midland Daily News. 2005-10-21. Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ a b "AAPI Washtenaw Oral History Project - Cynthia Yao | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ "High-Energy Force | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ "Hands On Museum visionary reflects on Ann Arbor science center's history". WXYZ 7 News Detroit. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ "Community Rallies To Aid The Hands-On Museum | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ "Hands-On Museum Celebrates 10 Years | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ "Michigan Women's Hall of Fame". Michigan Women Forward. Retrieved 2025-03-08.