The Plymouth Antiquarian Society announces the appointment of Patrick Browne as its new Executive Director. He will take the helm of the 105-year old institution on May 27th. Previously, Browne served as Executive Director for both the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum. Most recently, he has been a Lecturer in the History Department at Boston University where he has taught many courses on the history of early New England.

Dr. Browne holds a Ph.D. in History from Boston University and received both his B.A. in English and M.A. in History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His many professional and community activities include serving as a member of the Board of Directors for Plymouth 400, the Plymouth County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce. He was founding Chairman of Backroads of the South Shore, a consortium of South Shore historical museums.

“Dr. Browne’s passion for history, extensive leadership experience with historical organizations and museums, and in-depth knowledge of the region’s history makes him exceptionally suited to lead our Society,” Antiquarian President Andrea Daly said in a statement.

“Having researched, lectured on, and written about the history of the South Shore for decades, the idea of furthering the work of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society is truly exciting to me and I look forward to contributing to the continued celebration and preservation of Plymouth’s history,” Browne said. 

“Dr. Browne will lead us at a strategic moment for the Society, which is embarking on an ambitious 5-year strategic plan,” said interim Executive Director Dr. Walter Powell. “We are excited to benefit from his expertise in the management of historic properties, collections, and development.”

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society is Plymouth’s largest organization dedicated to preserving historic houses and landmarks, serving as Plymouth’s historical society – the gateway to our community’s post-Pilgrim history.

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society is seeking a Bookkeeper to ensure the smooth and compliant financial operation of the organization. This is a year-round, part-time (4-6 hours/week) position with flexibility in scheduling.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage Society’s bookkeeping using QuickBooks Online
• Ensure timely payment of all bills
• Prepare and make bank deposits
• Process and record credit card and other online transactions
• Reconcile monthly statements
• Prepare treasurer’s reports for monthly Board meetings
• Generate financial reports to assist the Director as needed for preparation of the annual budget, grant applications, and other projects
• Complete yearend schedule preparation for the annual financial review by outside accountant
• File quarterly sales and use tax returns and annual 1099s for independent contractors
• Oversee collection of cash at events, as needed
• Maintain financial records and ensure accurate financial reporting in compliance with all legal guidelines and established accounting principles

Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting preferred
• Excellent knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and processes
• Demonstrated skill working with financial information and maintaining records for nonprofit organizations
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Excel, and Word required
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of all organizational records
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, ability to work independently, professional manner, and positive attitude are all essential

Pay: $25.00/hour

How to Apply: For consideration, please email your resume, cover letter, and references to info@plymouthantiquarian.org.

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society is launching a search for an Executive Director to lead the nonprofit organization as it begins its 105^th year.

The search commences as the Society’s current Executive Director, Dr. Anne Mason, prepares to depart in February. Citing the importance of focusing on family, and the pending birth of her first child, Dr. Mason expressed both her gratitude for having the privilege to serve and the difficulty of making the decision to leave. “As a lifelong Plymouthean, I care deeply about the preservation of our community’s history,” she said. “It has been an honor to serve an organization that is committed to that mission.”

Dr. Mason, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware, has served as Executive Director for eight years. During this time, she helped the Society complete a major relandscaping project at the Hedge House Museum on Water Street, navigate the uncertain years of the Covid-19 pandemic, and embrace new opportunities for community engagement through virtual and collaborative programs.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, President Andrea Daly remarked, “As our Executive Director, Anne’s expertise and commitment have been invaluable in sustaining the Society. She will be deeply missed, but we wish her and her family all the best as she begins a new chapter in her life.”

While the Board undertakes its search for a new Executive Director, it has appointed Dr. Walter Powell as Interim Director, effective January 8^th. He will work closely with Dr. Mason to make the transition as smooth as possible, and to maintain continuity of programs until a new Director is hired. A resident of Plymouth, Dr. Powell holds a Ph.D. from Kent State University, and has more than 35 years of experience working for both the public and non-profits in the field of Public History. A past Board member of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, prior to his retirement he served as the first Executive Director of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and for 17 years as Director of Planning and Historic Preservation for the Borough of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The job posting for the full-time Executive Director position is available on the Society’s website.      

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society partnered with the Plymouth Bay Cultural District, Community Art Collaborative, and Plymouth’s Poet Laureate Stephan Delbos to create a new public art sculpture for the Plymouth waterfront. “Perseverance” is the second installation of the community-wide “In This Together” project. Unveiled on July 15, 2021, the sculpture will remain on the lawn of the Antiquarian Society’s Hedge House at 126 Water Street through September 2021.

This installation celebrates stories of perseverance from Plymouth’s past and present, featuring art created by local artists and students from Map Academy in Plymouth, as well as historic photographs, wallpaper, textiles, and documents from the Antiquarian Society’s collections. The honeycomb shape provided a template for the designs. Funding for this installation was provided by the Plymouth Bay Cultural District and the Mass Cultural Council Cultural District Initiative Grant.

Click here to explore the stories of perseverance highlighted in the installation.

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society is honored to announce that it is the recipient of a CARES Act grant for $2,500.00 from Mass Humanities, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Funding from Mass Humanities has been provided through the NEH as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020.

Mass Humanities awarded $572,500 to 123 humanities organizations across Massachusetts through the grant program, which provides operating support for museums, libraries, archives, and other nonprofit organizations during this unprecedented year. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions face an uncertain future due to lost admission and cancelled events.

The Antiquarian Society’s Board of Trustees, staff, and members extend their thanks to Mass Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities for this invaluable support. The grant will ensure that the Society can continue our mission of preserving and sharing local history through this challenging summer and beyond.

Learn more about the grant program.