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Museum welcomes Rachel Lewis as new director
Bringing with her an appreciation for the history of community along with a fresh set of eyes upon it, the new director of the Putnam County Museum is completing her first solo week in the new role.
Putnam County newcomer Rachel Lewis began at PCM on Monday, Sept. 16, working alongside now-retired Director Lisa Mock for two weeks before taking the reins for herself on Monday, Sept. 30.
“Rachel brings an abundance of excitement and potential to our museum,” PCM board President Kurt Crominaker said. “We feel fortunate to add her to our team.”
Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in archaeological science from the University of Exeter, where she was recognized for her collaborative research skills. Most recently, she served as excavation supervisor at Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell, S.D., where she coordinated a team of undergraduate archaeologists in excavation and post-excavation work while working closely with the local public.
“I am thrilled to serve the community of Putnam County as the new executive director of Putnam County Museum,” Lewis said. “The historical, natural and cultural resources of our county are truly remarkable, and I am committed to preserving and enhancing the museum’s efforts to protect these resources for the benefit of present and future generations.”
Lewis and fiancé Tim Barr, who teaches argumentation and coaches the debate team at DePauw University, just moved to the community in August, but she was acquainted with the museum from the very first day.
“The museum was the first door I walked through in Putnam County,” Lewis said. “I thought, ‘I just have to go.’ It was a little serendipitous.”
Such love of history and culture is nothing new for the Pennsylvania native.
“I’ve always been interested in history. My family was very influential in that,” Lewis said. “My aunt was a librarian, which is really a very similar job to this. My father was into metal detectors, which sort of combined to make me.”
Lewis noted the passion she finds surrounding the museum, particularly from PCM board members.
“Everyone cares about their history and their culture. I can really sense that,” Lewis said. “I’m really excited at the opportunity to bring different parts of the community into this space. As many people as are involved in the museum, I’d like to make this a true community space, both in terms of the programing we are presenting as well as the ways people can use this space in their daily lives.”
With the eyes of an outsider, Lewis hopes to bring new lines of inquiry into what has shaped Putnam County art and culture.
“There’s a lot of rich ceramic history. There are a lot of potters in Putnam County,” Lewis said. “Of course, there were the Peelers, and we have a lot of their work and other people’s as well.
“I’m personally interested in finding out where that tradition started,” she continued. “I’m wondering if there’s a lot of clay here that was the impetus for this.”
Looking at the museum as a whole, Lewis appreciates what it is currently while asking what it could be.
“I think a lot of energy has been put into making the museum what it is,” she said. “I’d like to put together a comprehensive history of Putnam County at large through the a reorganization of the displays.”
Lewis also had nothing but kind words for her predecessor, who served in the role for eight years after a period as assistant director.
“Lisa has been so wonderful, the most welcoming person I could imagine showing me the ropes,” Lewis said. “She’s put a decade of very hard work into this museum, and it shows. She will really be missed — I miss her already. In the two weeks in which we overlapped, we both talked about how excited we were. I don’t know what I’m more excited for — me for my new role or Lisa for her retirement.”
Lewis and Barr live outside of Greencastle with their cat. In her free time, she enjoys quilting, reading and exploring the beautiful natural surroundings of her Putnam County home.
For more information about Putnam County Museum, its mission and events, visit www.putnamcountymuseum.org/ or in person at 1105 N. Jackson St., Greencastle.