Christopher Oldham, executive director of the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion in North Bennington, has announced he will step down in mid-June and accept a local job that will enable to spend more time with his young family.
In addition to Oldham’s departure, Park-McCullough’s current board president, Stacey New, will be leaving the organization due to a relocation of her family. She will be succeeded on an interim basis by Kelly Clarke Harrington, the board's current vice president.
Clarke Harrington said Oldham has succeeded in solidifying and expanding the organization’s mission of enriching the community through a dynamic exploration of history and the arts.
“Over the last four years, the Park-McCullough property has seen a revitalization, and Chris has been a huge part of that change,” Harrington said. “We could not be happier with the results of his efforts to invite the larger community to become a part of the Park-McCullough organization and family.”
During her nearly two years of leadership, New has managed a major overhaul of the governance and financial processes and documents, while also providing a strategic direction that balanced tradition with future efforts for Park-McCullough.
“We are in a strong position moving forward because of the less-than-glamorous, but critically important organizational work Stacey has been leading us through,” Clarke Harrington said. “We are incredibly grateful for her dedication and will miss her terribly as she relocates with her family to Pennsylvania. Personally, I have appreciated her mentorship, wisdom and kindness during my time on the board.”
Clarke Harrington will be stepping into the role of interim board president after serving as vice president for two years. A registered architect, Clarke Harrington worked for Centerline Architects for 10 years with a focus on historic preservation and higher education, before transitioning to her current role at Siena College as director of design and construction.