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Updated: March 13, 2025

With expansion in the works, Maine Historical Society adds staffers

Photo / Courtesy Maine Historical Society The Wadsworth-Longfellow House, which is owned by the Maine Historical Commission, is at 489 Congress St. in Portland.
By Alexis Wells

The Maine Historical Society is not looking back but forward. Its new budget has allowed it to hire three new employees who bring a broad skill set to the organization. 

The Maine Historical Society's mission is to make history relevant and accessible. It operates the historic Wadsworth-Longfellow House, Brown Research Library, Longfellow Garden, P.D. Merrill Collections Center and museum galleries and store. 

Steve Bromage, the executive director, told Mainebiz that the organization plans to expand its reach and mission impact and grow its operating budget from $2.2 million to $2.8 million.

The nonprofit has 24 full-time staffers, five part-timers and eight seasonal employees. This week, the organization said it brought on three new employees. 

New hires

Photo / Courtesy Maureen Duggan
Maureen Duggan Emery

Maureen Duggan Emery was hired as the philanthropy manager. In this new role, she will raise money for the organization, write grants and work with its events team.

In a phone interview, Emery told Mainebiz that this new career path combined all her skills and interests and was "just the perfect fit."

Before MHS, Emery was a membership and corporate partnership manager at Maine Audubon. She has previously managed communications, development, marketing and events for various Maine organizations, including Maine Medical Center and TruChoice FCU. Emery was also a director for WMTW and WABI-TV. The Portland resident received her bachelor's degree in broadcasting from the University of Maine.

Looking to the future, Emery said, "One of our goals is to expand our audience," Emery told Mainebiz. "We are all living history. We want to get more younger people here to come with their family, learn about their family history and have a sense of place." 

Photo / Courtesy Abigail Jakub
Lauren Webster

Lauren Webster was hired as the director of audience management. In this role, she will help the organization improve the audience experience. Her background is in marketing, communications, education, public programs, retail and digital, as well as in-person visitor experience. Webster previously held leadership roles at the 75 State Street retirement community, University Credit Union and Maine Women's Fund. The Peaks Island resident received her bachelor's degree in women's studies and her master's in American and New England studies from the University of Southern Maine.

Photo / Courtesy Enid Arvelo
Sophie Bray

Sophie Bray was hired as the engagement and events specialist. Before joining MHS, she worked with the Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, ChoralArt, and the Portland Museum of Art. Bray received her bachelor's degree in business management from Skidmore College, with a minor in arts administration and dance. 

These specific hires support our efforts to expand our digital and in-person audiences and to grow our fundraising capacity,” said Bromage. “MHS has developed innovative, entrepreneurial approaches across the organization, and our unique mission, expertise, assets, and forward-looking vision put MHS in a position to engage, serve, and connect businesses, institutions, communities, other partners, and all people who love and have a stake in Maine.”

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