1999 - 2001

French Legation Museum, Austin, Texas

Served as Director of an historic house museum, the site of a diplomatic mission from France to the Republic of Texas [1839-1841] and home to a prominent doctor and his family [1849-1940]. The site tells both stories in the original 1840 house, the oldest frame structure in Austin, and in reconstructed outbuildings. The Museum, a public/private partnership between the state of Texas [owners] and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Inc. [custodians], has 2 full-time and 4 part-time employees, plus 20-member volunteer French Legation Committee of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Inc.

Director/ Responsibilities:

Operations, Personnel, Fiscal Management, Development, Gift Shop

Planning, Historic Preservation, Public Relations. Grants Management

Visitors Services, Private Events Rentals, Special Event Management, Maintenance.

Director/ Accomplishments:

Upgraded museum operations, grant preparation, collections management.

Expanded education program. Developed related curriculum materials.

Re-interpreted 1840 house and kitchen. Reorganized artifacts to reflect period room usage and to bring focus to the two distinct habitations of the historic buildings.

Established publications program. Developed new site brochure, school program materials, site rentals packet and self guide for on site arboretum.

Re-organized museum archives/collections records utilizing current museum practices.