Boothbay Region Historical Society, a cornerstone of the peninsula’s cultural heritage, proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Aimée L. Keithan, as its first-ever executive director. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the society's commitment to preserving and promoting the area’s rich history.

Dr. Keithan, an esteemed architectural historian with a passion for museums, assumed the nonprofit’s leadership role on Dec. 13. As the inaugural executive director, she will bring visionary leadership and a wealth of experience to propel Boothbay Region Historical Society into a new era of growth and impact. Dr. Keithan will work closely with the Board of Trustees and serve as the face of the Society within the community and local schools.

“As a native Mainer, I’ve long seen the potential for local history to build community.” says Keithan. “And as a museum professional and researcher focusing on revealing diverse and lesser-known histories, I strongly believe in proactively using history to shape the future. This aligns well with the society’s mission and accomplishments. I’m delighted to join their team.”

The society’s board recently undertook a thorough assessment of its building and collections. With the new executive director’s leadership, they hope to begin strategic planning, prioritizing facility improvements, sharing newly digitized collections, and broadening their audience to better serve the public.

Keithan most recently served as museum manager of Pejepscot History Center in Brunswick, where she handled most aspects of running a historical museum. Her professional and academic achievements are lengthy. “Aimée shares an appreciation of our old house museum and the collections in it. She has managed dozens of volunteers of all ages, run events and taught programs, serves on boards herself, and has a strong network of museum colleagues around Midcoast Maine,” remarked Dana Wilson, the society’s board president. “She’s excited to help shore up the organization for the future. The Board of Trustees is thrilled to embrace this new chapter with her at the helm.”