The Maryland Historical Society concluded its six-month search for an executive director on Wednesday, appointing Dr. W. Eric Emerson to the position. Dr. Emerson will be the eighth director of the Maryland Historical Society, an institution 126 years old.
Currently, Emerson is serving as the executive director and chief financial officer of the South Carolina Historical Society and is a published author of several works on South Carolina history.
Under his leadership, the South Carolina Historical Society increased membership revenue, expanded storage capacity and created an online catalog of its collections.
The former director of the MdHS, Dennis Fiore, led the organization for 12 years, leaving to take a position leading the Massachusetts Historical Society. He is originally from New England.
Henry H. Stansbury, president of the board of trustees, said he feels confident that Emerson will “create exciting new learning opportunities for the institution?s 4,800 members and inspire many others to take an active interest in Maryland?s history.”
Emerson is equally as excited, saying, “I look forward to working … to make the renowned collections more accessible to everyone in Maryland as well as out-of-state visitors. The Maryland Historical Society is widely recognized as one of the finest and most comprehensive historical societies in the United States.”
Emerson begins his new job with the Maryland Historical Society on July 1.
