Farewell and Thanks

Change can be both exciting and sad at the same time and it is difficult for me to let everyone know that I am leaving the BHS.  I recently accepted the position of Executive Director with the Museum of Ontario Archaeology and will be leaving the Society on May 25, 2012.  My formal training was in archaeology so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work for an organization which matched both my personal and professional interests.

The Board of Directors has started the search for a new Executive Director, and Erin Dee-Richard has been appointed Acting Director in the interim.  Erin has a Masters in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester in England and understands the overall requirements of managing a museum.  She has been working at the BHS since December 2009 and has excelled in her role as Curator.  I am very confident in Erin’s ability to manage the BHS during this transition.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working at the Brant Historical Society and am proud of what we have accomplished over the past six years.  Key for me has been the work we have done with the community.  Piloting the Building Responsive Museums Framework and undertaking the Community Engagement Study gave us an opportunity to find out what our community wants, expects and needs from the Brant Historical Society and its museums.  Exhibits have become more engaging as we work with Laurier Brantford and Community members to create exhibits that speak to the people living here.  Education and Outreach programs have grown each year and the creation of the Oral History Program is enabling us to capture more of our community’s history.  Our new logo and updated website portrays a fresh, warm, and welcoming organization.

The Brant Historical Society serves its community by enabling people to connect to their history and share their stories across generations and cultures.  I have been privileged to be a part of this for the past six years.

Sincerely,

Joan