LYNN — This is a time of change for the Lynn Museum & Historical Society. Drew Russo, its executive director for the past four years, has been appointed the city’s personnel director and will vacate the museum May 9.
That is also the date of the museum’s annual meeting. A look back at the past year and the election of trustees and officers will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a conversation about sports by Boston Globe columnist and Lynn native Chris Gasper and Steve Krause of the Daily Item. The meeting is free and open to the public.
Russo said the 122nd annual meeting promises to be one of the best yet. “We are really excited about it, and look forward to hearing Chris Gasper, a 1997 Classical High grad, and Steve Krause talk about all things sports. This is an exciting time for Boston sports, with the Celtics and Bruins in the playoffs, the Sox seemingly coming out of that slump, and the Patriots winning the Super Bowl.”
Gasper has been a member of the Globe sports staff since 2006. A Boston University grad, he is also co-host of the “Gasper & Murray” radio show on 98.5 the Sports Hub.
Iris Kimber, a museum trustee and Gasper’s aunt, said her nephew has been a sports fanatic since he was a boy and could rattle off player statistics at age 5. “He would watch lots of sports with his dad and uncles. When Chris was at Classical, he and a friend had a sports talk show on Lynn TV,” Kimber said.
Meeting attendees will also get to enjoy the museum galleries, which include an exhibit of May Day labor and political posters on the first floor and “The Lynn Beach Painters” showcase on the second floor.
Russo praised his hardworking staff, including program coordinator Elena Hirshman-Seidel and public engagement coordinator Sue Walker, and committed trustees. He also thanked Judith Marshall, the education and research specialist, who after three years at the museum, recently moved with her husband to Oregon.
Joseph E. Scanlon III, president of the Board of Trustees, said the board will meet soon to put a plan in place to find Russo’s successor.
“The board will decide which qualities and capabilities are needed in our next executive director, and we will adopt a plan to put an interim director in place shortly,” Scanlon said. He said the process typically takes several months.
The Lynn Museum/LynnArts Board of Trustees includes Steven M. Walsh, first vice president; Michelle Kane, second vice president; Gayle Richardson, secretary; Steven Babbitt, treasurer; and trustees Seth Albaum, Joe Boyd, Cheryl Crounse, Sandra Forziati, Nancy Glidden, Susan Keats, Iris Kimber, Nancy McCarthy, Brenda Ortiz-Peral, Daniel Richard, and Pamela Scangas.
“Drew was a tremendous asset to the museum. He restructured the fundraising operations, got the museum more involved and active in the community, and solidified our position as the hub for history, arts, and culture in the Downtown Lynn Cultural District,” said Scanlon. “He’s a really capable guy. The board and I are grateful for Drew’s leadership, and wish him well.”
For more information on the annual meeting, call 781-581-6200 or go to lynnmuseum.org.
