The Kelley House Board is pleased to announce Anne Cooper has been hired as the first ever Curator of the organization. Instead of an executive director, this new, full time, position will encompass the job of director and archivist responsible for the development and management of the museum.
Instead of the old model of a full time executive director and a part time archivist, the Kelley House Board will now employ a full time curator, specifically trained in museum management, and a part time office manager.
Anne hails from San Diego, where she has been Museum Manager at The Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead since 2007. A historic house museum, it is part of the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, and is located in Escondido.
“I am beyond pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the Kelley House Museum’s new curator! Being able to indulge my passion for history simultaneously with my love of foggy mornings, rocky beaches, coastal redwoods and Mendocino’s own special story, will be the culmination of many dreams,” Anne said.
She earned a BA and MA in anthropology at Stanford, graduating in 1974, when many of today’s long-term residents of Mendocino were enjoying the local vibe. Later, Anne returned to graduate school, completing a MA in history at the University of San Diego. An avid backpacker and hiker, Anne looks forward to discovering local trails, as well as spending some time on the Headlands. History is her passion. Anne started her new job on November 9th, and is fortunate to spend some time training with retiring archivist, Carolyn Zeitler.
The Kelley House Museum wishes to thank all those who generously contributed photographs, videos, clothing, objects and memories to the current exhibit, “Mendocino in an Era of Change: Hippies Use the Back Door!” Your treasured items made this exhibit possible. There’s still time to see the exhibit, which concludes November 30th. If you have things which you think might someday belong in the archives, please contact us.