The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Michael R. Harrison in the position of Robyn & John Davis Chief Curator. Harrison will officially begin his duties in his new role on Monday, June 30, 2014.

“The collections and properties of the NHA provide a welcome opportunity to combine my interests in maritime, social, and architectural history,” says Harrison. “I’m excited to work with my new colleagues to create exciting exhibitions and programs that link local stories and the local built environment to regional, national, and even international themes and developments.”

“The history of whaling has been featured in other museum projects I’ve done, so the island’s historic importance is very familiar,” says Harrison. “I’m looking forward to diving more deeply into the many aspects of Nantucket’s history and seeing what stories we at the NHA can tell about the island and its people over time.”

In his position as Robyn & John Davis Chief Curator, Harrison will head the curatorial and historic properties departments and have oversight of the association’s collections and exhibition programs, including its historic properties. He will be responsible for the management, care, research and interpretation of the NHA holdings in the fine and decorative arts, historic and prehistoric artifacts, historic structures and NHA Research Library holdings.