Historic Deerfield
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Deerfield, MA
APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 15, 2026
APPLY ONLINE HERE
Historic Deerfield, a nationally recognized, AAM-accredited museum and historic village in Deerfield, Massachusetts, seeks a thoughtful, dynamic, and mission-driven leader to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Stewarding one of the best-preserved villages and rural landscapes in North America, Historic Deerfield offers immersive encounters with the people, places, objects, buildings, and stories that have shaped New England and the United States. The next President and CEO will build on Historic Deerfield’s strong foundation, advancing its mission, expanding its reach, strengthening its national profile, and guiding the organization through its next phase of growth and impact.
About Historic Deerfield
Historic Deerfield is a cultural nonprofit that stewards one of the best-preserved historic villages and rural landscapes in North America, with a mission centered on understanding and interpreting American history and culture through its built environment, collections, scholarship, and programs. Set in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts, the site encompasses more than 50 historic structures and more than 100 acres along a mile-long streetscape that still follows its original 1671 plan. The village retains an extraordinary degree of integrity, with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century houses situated on their original lots and restored with careful attention to architectural detail, including historically accurate paint palettes that reflect the vibrant colors of the period.
Historic Deerfield was incorporated in 1952 to sustain the work of collectors and preservationists Henry and Helen Flynt, who began acquiring and restoring the historic houses in the 1930s. Through a careful and sustained effort, the Flynts preserved the architectural and cultural fabric of the village, establishing the foundation for what has become a nationally recognized museum and historic site.
At the heart of Historic Deerfield are twelve historic houses, the The Henry N. Flynt Library, and the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, which display and interpret a collection of more than 55,000 objects spanning the seventeenth through twentieth centuries. These include furniture, textiles, ceramics, metalwork, paintings, books, manuscripts, and other forms of material culture widely regarded as among the finest in the field. A defining strength of Historic Deerfield is the extent to which these collections are experienced in context, within the historic buildings and landscapes for which many were created or used.
Together, the village creates a setting that functions as a living laboratory, offering insight into Indigenous histories, colonial settlement, evolving New England communities, and the changing social and cultural life of the region over time. Historic Deerfield is widely recognized for its scholarly contributions and educational programs, including exhibitions, symposia, lectures, publications, and its Summer Fellowship Program, which has long served as a training ground for emerging scholars, decorative arts and museum professionals. The organization also collaborates with the Five Colleges consortium and other academic partners across the region.
At the same time, Historic Deerfield serves a broad public audience through exhibitions, guided and self-guided tours, and more than 75 annual programs. In recent years, the institution has expanded its interpretive framework to include a wider range of voices and perspectives, including the installation of “Witness Stones” commemorating enslaved individuals who lived in Deerfield, and new offerings around the roles of women in the vibrant Arts & Crafts community that emerged in the late 1800s. These efforts reflect an ongoing commitment to exploring the experiences of Indigenous communities, enslaved and free African Americans, women, immigrants, and others whose stories are integral to the region’s history.
The organization operates with approximately 48 full-time and more than 100 part-time staff, supported by a dedicated corps of volunteers. Its activities extend across the village and include the Deerfield Inn, a museum store, and a range of residential and agricultural properties. Together, these interconnected elements contribute to the visitor experience and reflect Historic Deerfield’s multifaceted operational model. Historic Deerfield welcomes more than 15,000 museum and program visitors annually, in addition to approximately 77,000 guests associated with the Deerfield Inn and related hospitality operations.
Historic Deerfield is governed by an engaged Board of Trustees of approximately 25–30 members. The organization operates with an annual budget of approximately $10 million and an endowment of roughly $70 million, supported through a combination of philanthropy, endowment income, admissions, programs, retail, hospitality, and property revenue.
Guiding its work is a strategic plan focused on growing visitation, enhancing the visitor experience, broadening the range of stories told, strengthening scholarship, addressing preservation and collections needs, and building the organizational capacity necessary for long-term success.
Opportunities and Strategy
Historic Deerfield offers a distinctive leadership opportunity: to guide a nationally respected museum and historic site with exceptional collections, an extraordinary physical setting, a strong financial foundation, and a deeply engaged Board and staff. The next President and CEO will build on the organization’s strong leadership legacy and its recent momentum, advancing Historic Deerfield’s mission while helping shape its next phase of growth, visibility, and public impact.
At its core, this is a role that calls for balance. Historic Deerfield’s strength lies in its ability to bring together rigorous scholarship, preservation of an extraordinary historic environment, meaningful public engagement, and sound organizational management. The next leader will be asked to sustain and deepen this integration, ensuring that the organization continues to serve as both a center for intellectual inquiry and a welcoming, accessible destination for a broad and evolving audience.
The President and CEO, in partnership with the Board and staff, will focus on several key opportunities and strategic priorities:
Expanding audience and visibility. Build on Historic Deerfield’s strong reputation to broaden awareness, deepen engagement with existing audiences, attract new and younger visitors, and strengthen the organization’s profile regionally and nationally.
Advancing interpretation and storytelling. Continue Historic Deerfield’s evolving interpretive approach by deepening and expanding the stories it tells, including those of historically underrepresented individuals and communities, while remaining grounded in scholarship, collections, and place-based experiences.
Strengthening philanthropy and organizational capacity. Support the organization’s long-term ambitions by working with the Board and development team to grow philanthropic support, enhance organizational capacity, and align resources with strategic priorities.
Evaluating facilities and infrastructure needs. Work with the Board and staff to assess opportunities related to collections storage, program space, preservation priorities, and other long-term capital and infrastructure needs that will support Historic Deerfield’s mission and visitor experience.
Responsibilities, and Expectations
The President and Chief Executive Officer will be a thoughtful, dynamic, and collaborative leader with experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations such as museums, historic sites, academic environments, or related fields. The successful candidate will bring strategic judgment, organizational and financial acumen, fundraising capability, and a genuine passion for history, preservation, and public engagement. They will be comfortable working at the intersection of scholarship and visitor experience, and will demonstrate the ability to lead a complex organization while building strong relationships with staff, trustees, donors, scholars, and community partners. Expectations include:
Provide strategic leadership and direction. Guide the implementation and ongoing refinement of Historic Deerfield’s strategic plan, setting clear priorities and aligning resources to achieve institutional goals.
Advance fundraising and external engagement. Lead fundraising efforts in partnership with a talented development team and the Board, strengthening philanthropic support and helping advance the organization’s long-term ambitions. Serve as Historic Deerfield’s primary ambassador and cultivate relationships with donors, collectors, scholars, community leaders, legislators, and regional partners, including Deerfield Academy, Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, and the Five Colleges consortium.
Oversee a complex and multifaceted organization. Provide leadership across a broad enterprise that includes historic properties, collections, educational programs, the Deerfield Inn, and the museum store, ensuring effective operations aligned with mission and strategy.
Preserve and steward historic assets. Oversee the conservation and preservation of Historic Deerfield’s buildings, landscapes, and collections, and work with the Board and staff to plan for and support future capital and infrastructure initiatives.
Partner effectively with the Board of Trustees. Build strong, collaborative relationships with an engaged Board, supporting governance, facilitating informed decision-making, and working closely with Trustees on strategic and fundraising initiatives.
Lead and support a talented staff. Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture; support professional development; and ensure clear communication, accountability, and alignment across departments.
Strengthen financial performance and sustainability. Oversee budgeting and financial management; work with the Board and staff to grow and diversify revenue through both contributed and earned income; and steward the endowment in partnership with the Board.
Enhance the visitor experience and public engagement. Support the continued evolution of exhibitions, programs, interpretation, and marketing to ensure Historic Deerfield remains dynamic, relevant, welcoming, and grounded in scholarship and authenticity.
Support scholarly and interpretive excellence. Ensure that Historic Deerfield continues to be recognized nationally for the quality of its collections, exhibitions, scholarship, educational programs, publications such as Historic Deerfield Magazine, and contributions to the broader museum and history fields.
Experience, Skills, and Attributes
Leadership experience: A minimum of seven years of senior-level leadership experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization such as a museum, historic site or organization, academic environment, or related field.
Strategic leadership: Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic plans, setting priorities, and guiding an organization through a period of thoughtful growth and change.
Fundraising success: Track record of securing major philanthropic support, including cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, working effectively with boards and development staff, or more limited experience paired with the capacity and willingness to lead in this area.
Financial acumen: Experience overseeing budgets and organizational resources, with an understanding of complex revenue models that include both contributed and earned income.
Board engagement: Experience working effectively with governing boards and navigating diverse perspectives.
Team leadership: Experience leading and managing professional staff, fostering collaboration, and supporting a positive and inclusive organizational culture.
External presence and relationship-building: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to serve as a visible and effective ambassador and build relationships with donors, scholars, community partners, legislators, and other stakeholders.
Commitment to audience engagement: Interest in broadening and diversifying audiences and creating meaningful, accessible visitor experiences.
Passion for history, preservation, and public engagement: A genuine enthusiasm for Historic Deerfield’s mission, with the ability to engage credibly with scholars, collectors, curatorial staff, and a broad public audience.
Scholarly engagement: Advanced academic training, curatorial experience, or demonstrated engagement with scholarship, collections, or interpretation is valued, though not required.
Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience is required. Advanced degrees are valued but not required.
We recognize that candidates may not bring every qualification listed above. If this opportunity aligns with your experience and interests, we encourage you to apply.
Compensation
The salary range is $200,000–$275,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package, commensurate with experience. Housing is provided for the President/CEO in an important historic house in the village.
How to Apply
To apply in confidence, submit application online HERE by July 15, 2026.
A complete application should include:
1) A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.
2) A resume.
3) The names and contact information for three professional references, indicating your relationship with them, preferably supervisors and/or direct reports.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. Nominations are welcome.
Questions should be directed to Dan Yaeger or Ken Turino, Senior Search Consultants, Museum Search & Reference, via SearchandRef@museum-search.com.
About Deerfield, Massachusetts
Deerfield is an iconic New England town in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts, known for its well-preserved historic architecture, rural beauty, and deep connection to American history. With a population of approximately 5,000, Deerfield offers a high quality of life defined by scenic farmland, historic character, and a strong sense of community.
The surrounding Pioneer Valley region, including nearby communities such as Northampton, Amherst, and Greenfield, offers a vibrant cultural and intellectual environment, with a concentration of renowned colleges and universities, arts organizations, and a range of dining, shopping, and recreational opportunities. The region is home to a number of notable cultural institutions, including the Smith College Museum of Art, the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College, MASS MoCA in nearby North Adams, and the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown. Residents enjoy access to outdoor activities year-round, including hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing in the nearby Berkshires and southern Vermont.
Deerfield and the surrounding region are well suited for families, with access to a range of educational options and recreational opportunities. The town is home to Deerfield Academy, a nationally recognized college preparatory school, The Bement School, a respected independent school serving younger students, and Eaglebrook School, a well-known boarding and day school for boys. Together with strong public-school options in the area, these institutions reflect a broader regional commitment to education. Families also benefit from a wide range of activities, including museums, nature centers, farms, seasonal festivals, and outdoor recreation throughout the Pioneer Valley and nearby Berkshires.
Deerfield is located approximately two hours from Boston and three hours from New York City, with access to major highways and regional airports in Hartford and Albany. Bradley International Airport in Hartford is approximately 45 minutes away and offers convenient connections to national destinations.
