History Museum director exits after 4 months 

RELATED

History Museum to install new leader

History Museum on the Square Inc. is without an executive director today, as Katie Turer resigned her post to move out of state. 

Turer’s last day was Wednesday. 

“We’re very sad,” said Charlotte McCoy, the museum’s business manager and interim director. 

McCoy said Turer is relocating to Lexington, Kentucky, where her husband, Matt Turer, has taken a position as social media manager with the U.S. Equestrian Federation. He was formerly the public relations and digital media specialist for the Springfield Cardinals. 

Katie Turer was brought on as the museum’s executive director on March 1, the day former leader John Sellars retired and became executive director emeritus, according to past reporting. Sellars had been in the museum’s top role for 17 years but had been with the museum in various roles since its founding in 1976. 

Turer had been a museum employee since 2019 and was community outreach and visitor experience manager for three years before advancing to the executive director position. Prior to that, she had held roles at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and the Springfield-Greene County Library District, according to her LinkedIn profile.  

McCoy said the museum staff and board had no idea when Turer took over the position three months that she would be leaving so soon. 

“The position is open and we’re interviewing, and that’s kind of the status,” she said. 

McCoy said a national search is underway, and the position has been posted with the American Alliance of Museums. The search committee is currently winding up its first round of interviews. 

The AAM job posting says the museum is seeking an innovative executive director to lead the museum through a growth period. 

“The director will lead the development and execution of a strategic plan. They will engage with museum stakeholders, take a holistic look at the museum’s operations and ensure financial stability and inclusivity,” the job description states. 

The salary is listed at $55,000 with a $7,000 stipend “to be put toward benefits and insurance needs.” 

Museum officials have known about Turer’s departure for over a month, as the posting requested a resume and cover letter from applicants by June 6. 

McCoy described the position as a challenging one. 

“For nonprofits in Springfield, the expectation is collaboration,” she said. “Springfield does a great job with that, but the expectation is that you’re always accessible.” 

She added they are hoping to fill the position “sooner, rather than later.” She said there have been 17 applicants to date. 

It is unknown what Turer’s next role will be, as an attempt to reach her by deadline was unsuccessful.