Who We Are

In 2020, the seeds of Burroughs & Dehmer were sown, rooted in the shared experiences and passion for museums of its founders, John Burroughs and Emilee Dehmer. Having faced many different challenges in the museum industry, John, a seasoned leader with experience in guiding institutions to success., and Emilee, a digital visionary driven by innovation, embarked on a mission to make a difference.

Their journey began with the realization that small to mid-size museums were often overlooked by high-profile consultancy firms. These institutions, while rich in history and culture, often struggled to access affordable expertise and embrace the digital age. Burroughs & Dehmer was born from the belief that museums, regardless of their size or budget, deserved the chance to thrive. They understood that small budgets shouldn't limit the potential for grand achievements.

Burroughs & Dehmer Consulting stands ready to make an impact. With a renewed focus to their mission, they look forward to helping museums explore the digital frontier, embrace innovation, secure funding, and foster leadership at all levels.

The future vision is clear: to bring affordable expertise to those who seek it. Emilee strives to empower institutions to unlock the potential of digital technology, expanding their reach to new audiences. John is dedicated to aiding museums in their growth, securing vital funding, and guiding leadership toward excellence.

Burroughs & Dehmer Consulting is more than a consultancy; it embodies the founders' dedicated commitment to preserving history, empowering museums, and fostering a brighter future for cultural institutions worldwide.

Meet the Team

Get to know the dedicated professionals behind Burroughs & Dehmer.

  • Founder

    Coming from a farming family in Southern Illinois, John earned a degree in history and completed graduate work in museum studies, public/nonprofit administration, and policy analysis. During his 15 year museum career, he gained progressive experience in history, science, and art organizations. Holding leadership positions with the Missouri Civil War Museum, the Rogers Historical Museum, and Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, his experience includes collections management, exhibit development, exhibit component fabrication, educational programming, visitor studies and evaluation, interpretive planning, expansion planning, museum administration, and fundraising.

    He is most proud of leading a successful fundraising campaign and a significant expansion project that brought together community members, foundations, and donors as director the Rogers Historical Museum in Rogers, Arkansas. The Museum campus reopened in December 2018 with facilities totaling 40,000 square feet and outdoor education spaces. The project received praise for the adaptive reuse of the historic Hailey Building, a 1947 Streamline Moderne Ford dealership, and for the excellence of the new exhibits, educational opportunities, and collections stewardship.

    John has always been fascinated with history and the objects that provide tangible links to our past. His curiosity about the stories associated with people and places became the basis for his desire to pursue a career in the museum field. John’s interests have focused on the history of the American frontier and agriculture as well as the role of mythmaking and legends in our collective identity. His goal in serving museums is to engage visitors through innovative and interesting experiences whether in exhibits or educational programming for people of all ages. He believes museums have the ability and opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of people, inspire learning, and add to the fabric of the community and quality of life.

    In his free time, John enjoys watching almost any western movie and Gunsmoke, reading Tony Hillerman mysteries, hiking, and sporting clays.

  • Founder

    Emilee is a skilled museum professional, with experience at six museums across the South and Midwest. She has worked within many facets of museum operations, ranging from education to fundraising to exhibits and curation. She is driven to help move museums into the digital age, and has piloted distance learning programs and multimedia production for classroom use and filmed videos for an AASLH award-winning exhibit. She has been recognized internally for achievements in non-profit organizations and Higher Education institutions assisting them in meeting and surpassing fundraising goals.

    Emilee holds degrees in history and telecommunication from Indiana University and an MBA from MTSU, along with a Digital Teaching and Learning Certificate. She is also a Nationally Certified Interpretive Guide.

    In her free time she enjoys baking, playing volleyball and disc golf, traveling, and playing video games.