Matthew Stackpole resigns MV Museum leadership job he's held for eight years

Posted November 1, 2007

Matthew Stackpole has resigned as executive director of the Martha's Vineyard Museum, effective Dec. 31. Keith Gorman, the museum director, will replace Mr. Stackpole and assume full responsibility for the museum operations on Jan. 1.

Mr. Stackpole, who lives in West Tisbury, has been the museum's professional leader for nearly eight years. In a press statement, released following Saturday's board meeting at which Mr. Stackpole's resignation was offered and accepted, the board expressed "deep regret."

During Mr. Stackpole's tenure, according to the release, what was the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society became the Martha's Vineyard Museum and played an "increasingly important role in the cultural life of the Island through expanded programming in history, the arts and education," according to the board's press statement.

"Thanks to Mathew's personal enthusiasm for the role of history in the evolution of Martha's Vineyard and his leadership in building a highly talented team of people, equally committed to promoting and preserving the rich cultural legacy of the Island, the museum is well-poised for the future. Matthew has ably led us in the planning to build a new facility in West Tisbury, which will serve generations of year-round and seasonal residents as well as thousands of visitors each year," said Chris Morse, who is one of the three co-chairmen of the directors, along with Warren Hollinshead, immediate past chairman, and Hugh Knipmeyer, chairman emeritus.

Explaining his decision, Mr. Stackpole wrote in a letter delivered to the board Saturday, "Over the past year it has become increasingly clear to me that I have completed any contributions my skills and experience allow me to make to the continued growth of this wonderful and essential organization.

"Consequently I have decided it is time for me to leave so the organization can seek the leadership and energy this Island's history, our collection and our board and staff deserve ... I leave with pride in being a part of what we have accomplished together and with all the best wishes for the museum's success as it continues to transform itself into the incredible Island and national resource it should and must be."

"We are enormously grateful to Matthew for his dedication and commitment to the museum these past eight years of remarkable growth, and wish him every success in whatever challenge he takes on next. He will be sorely missed, but we are pleased that he has agreed to remain accessible as a consultant to us in the future," Mr. Hollinshead said.

Mr. Stackpole will extend his stay until the end of the year to "complete several projects and conduct an orderly transition of records and background briefings with the staff." On Friday, he told the museum staff of his departure.