New Director Of Museum Affairs Named At OSV

Old Sturbridge Village Names Carol Childress
Director of Museum Affairs

Former Opacum Land Trust head to direct membership and Donor relations at OSV

Sturbridge, Mass.-- June 17, 2008 – Old Sturbridge Village Chief Executive Officer James E. Donahue has appointed Sturbridge resident Carol A. Childress as Director of Museum Affairs. Childress will be in charge of membership activities and donor relations and engagement.

Prior to joining OSV, Childress founded the Opacum Land Trust, Inc., and served eight years as president and executive director of the 300-member organization, which is dedicated to protecting natural resources in the 13-town South Central Massachusetts area. In addition, Childress holds state certification as both a residential real estate appraiser and sales agent, and was previously affiliated with RE/MAX Professional Associates, Sturbridge.

During her tenure as president of the Opacum Land Trust, Childress supervised day-to-day operations, working with attorneys, directors and landowners on conservation issues and land acquisitions. She also directed fundraising, grant writing, media relations and grass-roots efforts, coordinating with businesses, municipalities, state agencies and civic organizations to further the trust’s conservation mission.

While at Opacum, Childress was honored with a 2004 Environmental Award from Massachusetts Audubon Society and Worcester Business Journal; a Senate Citation from Massachusetts Senator Stephen Brewer, and a Terre de Femme (Woman of the Earth) Award from the Yves Rocher Foundation of Paris, France.

“Carol’s skills and talents are a perfect fit for Old Sturbridge Village – she knows the lay of the land, she knows our communities and she knows how to inspire both individuals and large groups to work together toward a common goal,” Donahue said. “We admire her energy, her drive and her dedication, and we’re excited to have her join the OSV team.”

“Old Sturbridge Village is the heart of Sturbridge,” Childress said. “It deserves to be front and center – to be the premier museum, educational institution, and tourist attraction in Massachusetts. I’m looking forward to working with CEO Jim Donahue and the rest of the Old Sturbridge Village advancement team.”

A native of Southbridge, Childress worked at Old Sturbridge Village once before – as a “tavern maid” at OSV’s Bullard Tavern during her college days. “I’ve come full circle now and it’s good to be back at the Village -- but I wonder if my OSV tavern maid costume still fits!”

Old Sturbridge Village, one of the most respected history museums in the country, has a staff of 180 and has been recreating New England life in the early 19th century for more than 60 years. For details go to: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.

Best of Luck, Carol!--ed.