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Media contacts: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
For Immediate Release
Ohio Historical Society Board Appoints Acting Executive Director
James D. Strider Brings Knowledge, Experience To Position
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)- The Ohio Historical Society has appointed James D. Strider, director of Historic Preservation and Outreach Services, as acting executive director. Strider assumes responsibilities held by William K. Laidlaw Jr., OHS executive director and CEO until his recent death.
"Jim has been with the Society for 28 years and has a long and proven record of leadership," said Richard T. Prasse, President of the Board of Trustees. "His critical knowledge of the Society, its people and its network of 58 historic sites and museums make Jim the right choice. He has helped to drive many of Society's successes and I am confident he will continue to do so. As acting executive director, Jim will lead the strong management team created by Bill Laidlaw while the board continues its search for a permanent executive director."
Starting at the Society in 1981 as the head of the Local History Department, Strider has had several positions with increasing responsibilities during his tenure at the Society. In 1986, he became the supervisor of the Membership Office before taking on the challenge of leading the organization's Society Relations Division. In this role, he supervised all development and public relations efforts as well as worked to increase the Society's membership. In 2004, he became the director of Collections, Historic Preservation and Outreach Division where he was in charge of the Society's collection of nearly 2 million artifacts, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office and the organization's outreach to other historical and educational organizations in the state. In 2008, the Board's decision to prioritize statewide services focused Strider on coordinating the Society's outreach programs, including historic preservation, field services to local historical organizations, teacher training programs and coordination of the National History Day in Ohio.
Prior to coming to the Ohio Historical Society, Strider was director of the Summit County Historical Society in Akron, Ohio, from 1977 to 1981. He has taught public history at the University of Akron and Otterbein College and currently serves as on on-site reviewer for the American Association of Museums Accreditation Program.
Strider has a Masters of Arts in American History, from the University of Delaware and has completed all doctoral course work. He has extensive training in museum and historical agency operations in conjunction with the University of Delaware Museum Studies Program and the Graduate Program of the Hagley Museum and Library Foundation, Greenville, Del.
Established in 1885, the Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state’s partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio’s history, archaeology, natural history and architecture. For more information about programs and events, call 614.297.2300/800.686.6124 or go online at www.ohiohistory.org.
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