FREEPORT – James Myall of Topsham, an archaeologist and historian who most recently worked at the University of Southern Maine, is the new executive director of the Freeport Historical Society.
Myall will succeed Christina White, executive director since 2008, within the next week or so. White will remain as a special consultant.
Myall, who is from England, left his job as director of the Franco American Collection at USM to take the Freeport Historical Society position.
“What I like about it is, it’s a dynamic organization with a solid foundation and an active board of directors,” he said. “Freeport is a town with a great sense of history, and a sense of identification to it.”
White said she feels privileged to have served as executive director for 61?2 years.
“It has been a joy to have a very supportive and engaged board, a terrific staff, generous members and engaged volunteers,” she said.
Myall, 28, holds a master’s degree in ancient history and archeology from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He also has a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Southern Maine, and plans to complete graduate degree work in public policy and management this year.
The Freeport Historical Society uses Harrington House, built at 45 Main St. in 1830 by Freeport merchant Enoch Harrington, as its base of operations and exhibits. It also owns 140-acre Pettengill Farm, a 19th-century former saltwater farm located on an estuary of the Harraseeket River.
Bill Muldoon, president of the board of trustees, said that White will continue to help the historical society with Pettengill Farm programs.
“Christina’s continuing association will help us realize Pettengill’s ultimate potential in fulfillment of Freeport Historical Society’s mission,” Muldoon said.
Myall shares that vision.
“One of the things that’s going to be on our plate is working on the development of Pettengill Farm,” he said. “My first task is gathering information and getting a sense of what the stakeholders think. Ideas keep popping up in my head. I’d like to develop a new media online presence.”
Myall grew up in Essex, not far from London. He was doing archaeological work at a castle in northern England when he met his wife, the former Kate Purnell, who has ties to Maine. The couple, who have two children, moved to Maine in 2009.
Myall also spent a year in Ireland, working in commercial archaeology.
“It was too weather-dependent, so I moved to the museum field in England,” he said. “Then, when we moved here, I took the position at the University of Southern Maine.”
White expressed appreciation that the town, FreeportUSA, Freeport Economic Development Corp. and the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce have been supportive of the educational and cultural mission of the historical society, and its importance to the vitality of Freeport.
“We – staff, trustees and volunteers – have made a sustained effort to reach Freeporters through program development initiatives and by utilizing both of our historic properties and other venues in our community,” she said. “We have invited the business community to partner with us in doing this exciting work in our schools, public spaces, and even on the radio.”
White said she plans some “very part-time project work,” pursuing art, restarting piano lessons, and enjoying more time her family.
“Freeport has been a very welcoming community,” she said. “It has been a great pleasure to meet so many people committed to the vitality of the town and to receive their support of our mission.”
Muldoon praised White for her leadership.
“When we selected Christina as executive director, we gave her one major goal: To take a solidly established, respected organization and expose it more broadly to more people,” he said. “Because of Christina’s managerial talent, vision, and graciousness we are a stronger organization.”
Muldoon said that, under White’s leadership, both individual and family memberships and business sponsorships increased significantly. She also initiated and won the largest grant ever received by the Freeport Historical Society, which was used to assess and analyze collections.
“White’s ability to share her vision and encourage excitement in others produced tangible results, including improving the structural stability of the saltbox at Pettengill Farm and enhancement of the grounds at Harrington House,” Muldoon said.
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