Winterthur’s CEO is stepping down.
The Charles F. Montgomery Director and CEO of Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library Carol Cadou announced her last day in that role will be June 1st.
Cadou is a graduate of the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture and has had the top spot at the museum since 2018.
In a statement she called it an honor and privilege to serve the institution, and to guide it through the COVID-19 pandemic. She says she’s moving to Maryland with her young family.
Her interim replacement is 16-year Winterthur Director of Garden & Estate Chris Strand. He says there’s lots of work to do.
“It’s hard to really articulate what the last year has been like for cultural institutions,” said Strand. “We’re all kind of struggling to go virtual and find out what we can offer our members and coping with the changing state of CDC recommendations, state recommendations.”
Winterthur is currently offering self-guided tours in the interest of social distancing.
It will also hold a scaled-down version of its Point-to-Point steeplechase race this year. The event was cancelled last year because of COVID.
Strand says things are starting to feel more optimistic.
“The azaleas are out. It feels very hopeful, in addition to the pandemic starting to ease up a little bit, the garden is making it feel a bit hopeful out there,” he said. “So it’s a great time to visit places like Winterthur.”
