Submitted by Carol Kulminski, OIHM.

The Board of Trustees of the Orcas Island Historical Museums could not believe their luck when Nancy Stillger responded to the posting for a new Executive Director. After reading a heartfelt letter of introduction and an impressive resume, there was no hesitancy on the part of the Board to hire her.

“It is with great enthusiasm that I am applying for the Executive Director of Orcas Island History Museums. Like everywhere I travel, my first stop is always the local history museum; I have visited your gem when I only dreamed of living on Orcas Island. I believe a sense of the history of place and people’s relationship to it is key to a strong community and world,” said Stillger.

Stillger’s career has always been connected to preserving and celebrating special places. She has an MA in Urban Planning and won the Dean’s Award for Community Service for her work connecting under-recognized communities in Los Angeles through public art on historic sites. Stillger served seven years as Program Director at a nonprofit that helps underserved youth heal through creative expression (Art with Heart). She was the Museum Director of Campbell Historical Museum and Ainsley House where she oversaw the opening of their newly acquired historic house museum.