Frontier Culture Museum hires new executive director

The Board of Trustees of the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia today announced that Dr. Megan Newman will become the museum’s new executive director on August 20, 2018, succeeding John Avoli who led the Agency for 15 years until his retirement in March of 2017.

Interim Director Eric Bryan managed museum operations during the candidate search process.  Dr. Newman is currently director of corporate and foundation relations at VMI Foundation.

“This is an exciting time for both the museum and Dr. Newman,” said Paul Vames, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Frontier Culture Museum. “Attendance has grown 50% over the past five years, and the museum is poised to continue that success under Dr. Newman’s leadership.”

Newman will also oversee the installation of the final pieces of the museum’s master plan including construction of a working grist mill, an artisan crafts village, and most importantly an Atlantic Crossing Gallery and Education Center. Almost half of the museum’s visitors are school-age children from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Dr. Newman received her PhD in American studies, and her M.A. in anthropology/archaeology from the College of William and Mary. She received her B.A. in French/anthropology from Wellesley College.

“I am excited to be joining the team of staff, volunteers, and supporters at the Frontier Culture Museum. It gives me an opportunity to merge my interests in history and education with my experience in administration and development,” Newman said. “This will be an exciting and rewarding role for me, and I am so looking forward to working with everyone to tell the compelling stories of the many communities in the Valley.”

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Newman join the team and look forward to her applying her experiences with State and not-for-profit educational and historical organizations to the Frontier Culture Museum”, said Kenneth Venable, chair of the Selection Committee. “Her background in history and anthropology combined with experience in museum collections, exhibits, and operations is a perfect fit with the Frontier Culture Museum’s educational mission.”