JCHS Director of Education and Public Programs Tara McCauley to Serve as Interim Executive Director
Jefferson County Historical Society is pleased to announce that Director of Education and Public Programs Tara McCauley will serve as the organization’s Interim Executive Director. Tara will assume the interim leadership role no later than June 2023. This news follows the announcement in January by JCHS leadership that Shelly Leavens will be resigning her position as Executive Director this spring.
Tara joined JCHS in December 2019 and in a short time has transformed the organization’s education programs for all ages into an increasingly popular, dynamic, and inclusive aspect of our museum’s impact in our community. More people are participating in JCHS’s diverse and curiosity-inspiring programs than ever, and she has been instrumental in building partnerships and stewarding free, all-ages programming at the Jefferson Museum like our annual Dino Day and Holiday Extravaganza.
In addition to managing the strategic direction of our education and programming, Tara has taken on a core role in the reimagining of our museum visitor experience as project manager for the New Jefferson Museum.
“I’m so grateful for the Board’s confidence in my taking on this interim leadership role and am incredibly excited to continue working with our amazing staff, board, volunteers, and community partners towards planning the New Jefferson Museum experience,” said Tara. “I have learned so much from Shelly as a leader and visionary, and I will do my very best to continue to steward our organization forward.”
“I could not be more pleased with the appointment of Tara as our Interim Executive Director,” said JCHS Board President Ann Welch. “As much as we are saddened by Shelly’s departure, we could not be more thrilled that Tara will take over the leadership role. Her experience and background are the perfect combination as JCHS embarks on the New Jefferson Museum project. Tara has done an amazing job as our Director of Education and Public Programs with creativity, organization, and professionalism. Speaking for the Board of Trustees, we have complete confidence in Tara and the exciting future at JCHS.”
About Tara McCauley
Tara has been with JCHS since 2019 and brings over 20 years of experience in museum education, strategic planning, and leadership to this role. Prior to joining our team, she was head of education departments at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), and White River Valley Museum. She was a vital part of leadership teams that oversaw and opened both the new Burke Museum in 2019 and new MOHAI museum in 2012.
Outside of her role at JCHS, Tara teaches in University of Washington’s Continuing Education Museum Studies certificate program and has been an affiliate instructor for the university’s Museology Graduate Program. She is committed to continual learning and focus on diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and decolonization in museum practice, and her areas of expertise include community-based program design, organization renovation and growth, and building strong community partnerships.