WILMINGTON — It was Mary Boyd that made the telephone call more than 21 years ago: “Kay, we need a new director at the Clinton County Historical Society and think you should apply.”
Kay Fisher had married Larry Fisher the previous year and had moved back to her home town of Wilmington. She applied and in July of 1997 the Historical Society and Kay began their journey together.
Kay recently announced to the Board of Trustees her plans to retire in March of 2019. Her historic journey with the Society will end and a new director will be sought to lead the Society into the future.
The year 1997 was the beginning of major changes for the Historical Society. A capital campaign began, raising over $868,000 to double the size of Rombach Place, adding handicapped accessibility, a large genealogy/research library, community room and additional office space.
Fisher also began making changes in the handling of the museum’s collections.
During her time as director, the collection has been computerized; special exhibits are created yearly to offer visitors a new learning experience with each visit; off-site presentations are offered for adults and school children; comprehensive research on the collection and Clinton County has been conducted; and the museum “best practices” has been implemented.
“I’ve met a lot of people who like history and have had the great pleasure of meeting those who have a passion for history,” Kay said. “Through the years, I have learned so much about Clinton County from discussions with Mike Mason, Chuck Muchmore, Roger Vaughn, Jennifer Hollon, and the best and most missed Clinton County historian, Bernie Quigley. I may be leaving as director of the Clinton County Historical Society, but my passion for history will continue.”
The Board of Trustees of the Clinton County Historical Society will begin their search for a new director, with a job posting in October. Information about the position will be available on the Clinton County History Center website www.clintoncoutntyhistory.org and Facebook.
