Carl R. Nold Recognized for Service to Museums

Carl R. Nold, former Mackinac State Historic Parks director who is now president and CEO of Historic New England, received the Association of Midwest Museums'( AMM) Distinguished Service Award September 26 at the AMM annual meeting in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes long-term career achievements and service to one or more museums or museum associations. Mr. Nold is the ninth person to receive the award in the history of the 79- year-old organization, which supports the work of museums in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

In presenting the award, Nicola Longford, president of

the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, Texas, noted that Mr. Nold provided years of volunteer service to the museum profession while at the Straits of Mackinac.

"Through the Michigan Museums Association and through the Association of Midwest Museums," she said, "he has been a mentor to many and a true leader in our field. He is a hugely respected colleague, a supporter for so many of us in our work, and a welcoming friend to all those interested in museums."

Mr. Nold has served AMM as treasurer and as president of the board of directors.

Ms. Longford noted that even after leaving the Midwest to become president of Historic New England, Mr. Nold agreed

to continue to serve for several years to provide needed continuity for the board and for association programs when the AMM had the challenge of two presidents of the board of directors being unable to serve in the traditional role of past president. He was instrumental in AMM selecting Mackinac Island for its 2007 annual meeting, she said.

Carl Nold served as director of Mackinac State Historic Parks from 1992 to 2003. Now a resident of Winchester, Massachusetts, he was appointed president of Historic New England in April 2003.

Historic New England is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional preservation organization in the country and operates 36 historic sites in five New England states.