Rachael Mullins will retire in early summer 2024 as president and CEO of the Putnam Museum and Science Center, and its governing board is launching a national search to find the Davenport museum’s next leader.
Members of the board of directors voted Monday, Oct. 2, to accept Ms. Mullins’ resignation and form a search committee. It will drive an effort members hope will result in a new CEO being in place by June 1, 2024, according to a Putnam news release.
Ms. Mullins, who has led the Davenport museum located at 1717 W. 12th St., since June of 2019, said she plans to relocate to the Atlanta area to be nearer family and assist in her mother’s care.
Putnam Board Chairman Kerry Smith said that while board members are sorry to lose her leadership they are grateful of Ms. Mullins’ contributions to the museum.
Mullins will be missed
“Rachael has served the Putnam admirably for the past four years, guiding us through the pandemic, refining the mission of the organization for the modern era, and driving a series of facility improvements that are transforming the visitor experience at the museum,” Mr. Smith said in the release. “She will be greatly missed, but we all support her decision and applaud her commitment to family.”
Among those improvements was the grand opening in 2021 of the museum’s World Culture Gallery and its new regional history exhibit, “Common Ground: Our Voice, Our Stories.” The project has been hailed as a national example by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Association of Midwest Museums.
Ms. Mullins said she appreciates the decades of friendship and collaboration from the Quad Cities community. She also credited the community, the museum board and its partners for the innovation currently underway at the Putnam.
“The Quad Cities region has an extraordinary story to tell, a rich history, and a generous community that embraces what it means to be a Quad Citian,” she added. “The collaboration and enthusiasm of our community for this work has been a blessing to me personally and professionally.”
Museum ‘reimagined’
The Common Ground and World Culture exhibits are among a number of investments included in the museum’s Putnam Reimagined Master Plan. Its ambitious goal is to raise $7.5 million by the end of Ms. Mullins’ tenure next June.
That Putnam Reimagined campaign supports gallery updates and building renovations. It was recently awarded Destination Iowa funding, from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, which recognizes the Putnam’s impact on statewide tourism.
Ms. Mullin’s Summer 2024 departure also will come after the museum opens its next Master Plan project dedicated to Quad City Innovators.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished and am confident in the leadership of Putnam staff and board of trustees to continue the extraordinary work underway to deliver the Putnam’s mission to ignite human potential and inspire our diverse community to learn about and care for our world and all its people,” Ms. Mullins said in the release.
The Putnam Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate. For more than 150 years, guests have experienced the Putnam’s permanent exhibits. They range from Unearthing Ancient Egypt to science galleries and programs and internationally recognized traveling exhibits.
For more information about events and exhibits, visit putnam.org.
