The Board of Directors of Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area is pleased to announce that Lauren McCormack has assumed the role of Executive Director after the retirement of long-time Director, Patrice Todisco, in early July.

Lauren McCormack comes to Freedom’s Way after a career in history museums, most recently serving as the Executive Director of Marblehead Museum on the North Shore of Massachusetts for over 8 years. While there, she oversaw an award-winning project to identify, research, and disseminate stories of free and enslaved people of African descent and the purchase, rehabilitation, and interpretation of the 1768 Jeremiah Lee Slave Quarters, one of only three detached slave quarters owned by an historic site in New England.  Prior to her time in Marblehead, McCormack worked at the USS Constitution Museum, Old Sturbridge Village, and the Howard County Historical Society in Maryland.

McCormack brings an understanding of the promises and challenges of small heritage institutions, as well as a track record of success in institution-building, and fostering community relationships and partnerships.