Carrie McHugh is the new director for the Cook County Historic Society. She brings a lot of skill and enthusiasm to her new position.
A Hovland resident has been hired as the new director of the Cook County Historical Museum. Carrie McHugh brings both experience and a wealth of knowledge to her new position. The former manager of the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum in Tofte began her job on February 14. She replaces Pat Zankman, who held the position for the last 15 years.
McHugh, who has a master’s degree in applied anthropology from Minnesota State (Mankato) University, said, “I feel very lucky to get this position. I will get to use my education in museum studies.”
Funding for this job came through the county.
One of the things McHugh and an able staff of volunteers will work on is building an online catalog.
“All museums have things tucked in a basement. With the Internet we can provide access to these items. People will be amazed to see all of the pieces that have been tucked away.”
If all goes as planned, some of those pieces will be brought into daylight and put on display when more room for them can be found, said McHugh.
Other goals include building up the society’s membership, writing grants to help fund future projects and exhibits, and cataloging all of the museums items.
“There is a lot of data entry. But we have a great staff of volunteers that will help me with that,” McHugh said.
The Cook County Historical Society (CCHS) began in 1924. Today it maintains four separate locations. The museum McHugh is in charge of is located at 8 South Broadway in the Lighthouse Keeper’s House, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The CCHS also operates the Johnson Heritage Post, the St. Francis Xavier Chippewa City Mission Church and a 1930s fish house replica and the fishing tug Neegee.
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