NEW HAMPSHIRE BOAT MUSEUM
Devon Kurtz appointed Executive Director
The New Hampshire Boat Museum in Moultonborough, NH has appointed Devon Kurtz as Executive Director. The national search was led by MS&R senior search consultant Dan Yaeger. Kurtz will begin work in April 2025.
Kurtz brings more than twenty years of experience in nonprofit leadership, museum administration, and community engagement. He joins NHBM after serving as Executive Director of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Northbridge, MA, where he spearheaded transformative projects, including the development of the Worcester Heritage Center and innovative interpretive programs that engaged inclusive audiences across 25 communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Before his tenure in the Blackstone Valley, Kurtz held positions at several prominent cultural institutions, including the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA, where he oversaw education and public programming, and the Concord Museum in Concord, MA, where he directed education and interpretation initiatives. His career also includes experience at Old Sturbridge Village, where he designed and implemented interpretive programs for more than 300,000 annual visitors.
As Executive Director, Kurtz will lead NHBM’s efforts to complete its $4-million capital campaign and oversee the buildout and phased opening of its new 24,000-square-foot facility, which was constructed in 2024 in Moultonborough, relocating the main museum site from Wolfeboro, NH.
"Devon’s proven track record in museum leadership and his ability to build meaningful connections with stakeholders make him an ideal fit for the New Hampshire Boat Museum," said Jaime Laurent, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees. "We are excited for the fresh perspectives he brings to our community and the institution." Kurtz said he is “honored to join NHBM at such a pivotal moment in its history. The museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate the state’s boating heritage is inspiring, and I look forward to working with the dedicated staff, board, and community to ensure its continued success and sustainability."