Courtesy / Abbe Museum
Chris Newell
September 10, 2021
Bar Harbor museum director resigns after 18-month stint, citing personal reasons
By Staff
The Abbe Museum, a Bar Harbor museum dedicated to Wabanaki art, history and culture, has announced that Executive Director Chris Newell will resign, effective Saturday.
In a news release from the Abbe’s board of trustees, Newell cited personal reasons for his decision to leave the museum, where he took the leadership role in March 2020.
"This was a difficult decision for me," he said. "While I was here during a tumultuous time, I am forever grateful for the support of the board and the museum team for working with me to meet challenges head-on, helping build a firm financial foundation, and bringing the museum to new audiences across the globe."
Newell was born and raised in Motahkmikuhk (Indian Township) and is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy tribe. Before his current role, he served for five years as education supervisor for the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center in Ledyard, Conn., where his team created educational experiences for more than 30,000 visitors.
Newell and colleagues from the museum also founded the Akomawt Educational Initiative, a majority Native American-owned consultancy group and educational support service, to provide native history lessons to public schools, museums and cultural sites.
Newell will continue partnering with the Abbe through his work with Akomawt Educational Initiative, according to the release.
Board Co-chair Margo Lukens said, "The Abbe Museum community will always be grateful to Chris for his dedicated work as executive director; he is leaving the museum stronger for his presence. His tenure as the first Wabanaki executive director of the museum has been pivotal, and we look forward to continued good work together in service to the Abbe and to the Wabanaki Tribes in Maine."
The Abbe Museum board is currently in the process of naming an interim leader, the release said.
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