GREENWICH, Conn. -- Debra L. Mecky, Ph.D., executive director and CEO of Greenwich Historical Society for over 29 years, has announced her decision to retire in 2025. During her tenure, she dramatically advanced the organization’s mission, transformed its site and operations, and expanded its reach and audience to become one of America’s foremost regional history museums.
Under Mecky’s leadership, the Historical Society experienced significant growth, prominence, and relevance in the Greenwich community and beyond. With the support of an extraordinary board, staff, and design team, Mecky oversaw the 2018 Reimagine the Campus transformation and expansion with state-of-the-art galleries for permanent collections and special exhibitions, and the installation of a new highly accessible world-class library and archives, reception lobby and museum store. She obtained accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, oversaw the restoration of the Justus Luke Bush Storehouse to accommodate administrative offices, and the expansion of the historic barn into the Vanderbilt Education Center. The interpretive plan she developed for Bush-Holley House and its historic landscape advanced its status as a National Historic Landmark and recognition as the site of the first art colony in Connecticut.
A bi-annual program of exhibitions was implemented during Mecky’s tenure on topics spanning Greenwich history, the Cos Cob art colony, including significant exhibitions on Impressionist artists Childe Hassam and John Henry Twachtman, and on the contributions of local African American, Italian, Jewish and Japanese communities.
Additionally, Mecky was instrumental in expanding education programs for students in Greenwich’s public and private schools and building the endowment to fund its museum-school partnerships through which free programs are provided to every student in two of Greenwich’s Title I schools. Focused primarily on social studies and fine art, programming was designed to complement the schools’ mission of narrowing the achievement gap that runs along racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines. It is often the first museum experience for many of the 1600 students who have participated to date and who have gained a sense of pride in the rich cultural history of Greenwich.
The Board expresses its deep appreciation for Mecky’s vision, leadership, and accomplishments: “Debra has made Greenwich Historical Society a point of pride for the Town of Greenwich and a leading institution of its kind, increased its visibility and impact through highly effective programs that engage the community, and fostered a base of committed and enthusiastic patrons,” said Catherine Tompkins, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Notably, she laid the groundwork for the Historical Society to continue its robust growth trajectory through the upcoming capital campaign for endowment and programs: Our Town, Our Story, Greenwich Past, Present, Future.”
“It has been the highlight of my career and a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the Greenwich Historical Society and the community for almost three decades as Executive Director,” says Mecky. “I leave with the organization well positioned for a new era of growth and poised to even better serve our extraordinary town.”
In recognition of her contributions to the Greenwich community, Mecky will be the honoree at the Historical Society’s annual History in the Making award dinner, to be held on Wednesday, October 29th from 6-9pm at Belle Haven Club. Author and historian Nathaniel Philbrick will be the keynote speaker.