Meet Mary Donahue, Executive Director of the Manchester Historical Society

When I interviewed a few  months ago, he told me that a new executive director was being appointed soon. Now that Mary Donahue has gotten a chance to get settled in her new job, I called and Mary graciously offered to chat about the goals and ideas she has for the Manchester Historical Society.

Timothy Becker: Mary, what interested you in taking the position of executive director?

Mary Donahue: After 30 years with the State of Connecticut I wanted to come into the non-profit world. I had been working on many great projects with the town and I knew that I liked Manchester.

Timothy Becker: What was your previous position?

Mary Donahue: I was the survey and grants director for the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, State Historic and Preservation Office. I supervised a staff of 13 people. I was responsible for administering $8 million in grant funds.

Timothy Becker: I understand that you recently received an award for your work for in historical preservation?

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Mary Donahue: I received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Connecticut Trust and the Fredrick Law Olmsted Lifetime Achievement award for historic designed landscapes.

Timothy Becker: What plans are you working on for the Historical Society?

Mary Donahue: I was hired to help develop the History Center into a full museum. We are anticipating a planning grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council to hire professional consultants to look at renovations of our space for large public events and activities. We are planning to expand the exhibits and programming for all parts of the community, especially young families and children. The majority of the windows have already been restored and the rest of the building is ready to go.

Timothy Becker: What type of consultants do you plan on engaging?

Mary Donahue: We will be hiring a historic architect, a museum designer, and an event planner to work with myself, our staff, our board and the community. We expect to begin planning the museum spaces in July. We will keep the industrial feel of the space and create exhibit space, a conference area and an interactive childens' area. We will also be working with the to offer them more space.

Timothy Becker: How detailed will the plan be?

Mary Donahue: A pre-plan will get the brainstorming going. The next phase will be a very detailed plan that will include every word, label and banner.

Timothy Becker: Are you planning a capital campaign?

Mary Donahue: Yes, that will be down the road as we go along.

Timothy Becker: What are your long term goals for the History Center?

Mary Donahue: I would like Manchester to be a destination for heritage tourism that includes good attractions, good restaurants, and shopping. There has to be something to see when you get here. That will keep me going until my next retirement.

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