This will be a busy summer at the Historical Society, with the departure of the Executive Director, Susanne DeBerry Cole, and the sale of the Geddes-Piper House, the Society’s former headquarters. The Deputy Director, Amanda Tuttle-Smith, will be calling on volunteers to help organize a farewell party for Susanne, the annual Legacy Day festivities in August and repurposing furniture and items from the house museum.
Dr. Susanne DeBerry Cole, who has ably led the Society for more than a year, will be relocating to Wisconsin, where her husband has accepted a position as Vice-President of Student Affairs at Marquette University. In addition to her responsibilities at the Society, Dr. DeBerry Cole taught history at Washington College, specializing in gender and world history.
While at the Society, she oversaw the physical move from the Geddes-Piper House to the new downtown headquarters in the Bordley History Center. With this enlarged space for lectures and exhibits, she ensured that the prime corner location presented engaging displays. Dr. DeBerry Cole also began a youth reading program at local elementary schools which will continue in the fall. Society President, Stephen Frohock praised her service, saying, “Susanne brought a rare combination of scholarship, common sense, and a real desire to engage with both residents and visitors to Kent County. We especially appreciate her efforts to engage school children in our activities.”
Mr. Frohock also confirmed that the Society has sold the Geddes-Piper House to a family with deep ties to Kent County. Settlement is expected in August and thus the last day for public tours will be Saturday June 25th. The building served for decades as a house museum, but with limited exhibit space and no accessibility for the handicapped, it was no longer suitable for the Society’s programs. In line with current preservation policies, members decided to return the house to its original use as a warm and inviting family residence.
The Society will be working over the summer to revise job descriptions and search for a new Executive Director, a part-time position with primary responsibility for strategic planning, development, and public outreach. While the library moved last year to handsome new facilities in the Bordley Building, the Society also will need to make the Geddes-Piper House ready for the new owners. This will involve “de-accessioning” most of the furnishings and a great deal of house cleaning. Amanda Tuttle-Smith reminds the community to visit the Geddes-Piper House before it closes on Saturday, June 25, 2016—and also invites local residents to volunteer for the Society’s various committees and programs. Information is available on the Society’s webpage: www.kentcountyhistory.org or by phoning 410-778-3499.
Contact: Deputy Director, Amanda Tuttle
[email protected]
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