The Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket, announced that its Board of Directors has named Marita Rivero as the organization’s executive director.
Rivero succeeds Beverly Morgan-Welch, who served as the Museum’s executive director with great distinction for 16 years. In November, Morgan-Welch left to become Associate Director of External Affairs at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.
The Museum of African American History (MAAH) is dedicated to preserving, conserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans and those who found common cause with them. The Museum presents the powerful history of New England’s 18th and 19th century black abolitionist and entrepreneurial communities through its stewardship of some of the nation’s preeminent historic landmarks — including the African Meeting House (1806) and the Abiel Smith School (1835) on Boston’s Beacon Hill; and the African Meeting House (c.1820) and the Seneca Boston-Florence Higginbotham House (c.1774) on Nantucket — and Black Heritage Trails in Boston and Nantucket. It also holds extensive collections and sponsors a robust offering of exhibitions, scholarly lectures, concerts and innovative educational programs.
A longtime member of the MAAH board of directors and current chair of the board of trustees of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Rivero has deep knowledge and experience in national museums. She has served as the Museum’s interim executive director since Morgan-Welch’s departure.
“We are thrilled that Marita has agreed to lead this important institution on a permanent basis,” said Cathleen Douglas Stone, chair of the Museum board of directors. “She brings to the role stellar business acumen, media savvy and the passion and imagination that will help us build on the success of nearly 50 years and propel us to have an even greater impact in the years ahead.”
