The new education center will have additional exhibition space, enhanced research facilities for scholars interested in the history of papermaking, and a long (and eagerly) awaited hands-on papermaking classroom. The Center is being designed by Avient Museum Services. When it opens the Center will double the Museum's current public space. This will enable us to increase educational and public programming, with greater public access to works and artifacts from the permanent collection and an expanded program for special exhibitions.

George W. Mead II, for whom the center is named said, "I am most excited about this project because it will expand the public's familiarity with paper and the importance of paper in our daily lives."

Steve Miller, Chairman of the Museum's Advisory Board, stated, "This is an extremely significant donation for the Robert C. Williams American Museum of Papermaking. We are so honored and pleased that the Mead Witter Foundation has joined in our effort to educate the public on the importance of papermaking."

George W. Mead II is a leader in philanthropic support of educational programs and is passionate about the role which papermaking plays in our culture. Mead is the Chairman of the Mead Witter Foundation and the former Chairman of Consolidated Papers, Inc. He received a Master of Science degree from the Institute of Paper Chemistry in 1952 and an honorary doctorate from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology in 2004. Mead served as trustee of IPST for many years including a term as chairman when the Institute moved to the Georgia Tech campus.

About the Mead Witter Foundation:

The Mead Witter Foundation, a private philanthropic organization, is headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Founded in 1951, the Foundation is funded through earnings from endowments from George W. Mead and family members who were major shareholders in Consolidated Papers, Inc.

For more information, contact Cindy Bowden at 404-894-7840 or send an email.