MHS hires Executive Director

The Michilimackinac Historical Society Board of Directors, at their June 15 meeting, hired Molly M. Paquin of St. Ignace as its new Executive Director. 

                Paquin will replace Interim Director Bill Peek, who served the interim role since 2021.

                Paquin has over 40 years of experience in the museum and nonprofit world.  A graduate of the Lake Superior State University Masters of Business Administration program with a focus in nonprofit management, she has served on the local historical society board for a year and a half and volunteered in various capacities with the organization.

                After graduating from Michigan State University with two bachelor degrees, Paquin was curator of collections and public information director for the Mason County Historical Society’s White Pine Village and the Rose Hawley Museum in Ludington.  She then went on to serve as director of the Tri-Cities Historical Museum in Grand Haven.  From there she became a museum consultant and then worked as director of the Museum of Ojibwa Culture in St. Ignace for nine years.

                Paquin was then the first director of Habitat For Humanity of the Eastern Upper Peninsula and then director of the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula.  She most recently served as a Senior Community Development Manager for the American Cancer Society for nine years.

                “I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Historical Society Board, volunteers, staff and the many donors who have so much passion and commitment to seeing the history of the Michilimackinac region showcased in the new Cultural Center,” Paquin said. “Our region’s history is so critical to the history of our State and our local history deserves to be shared with our local residents, our children and with the visitors to our area.  I look forward to helping see the project through to fruition,” she added.

                She has served as a past secretary of the Michigan Museums Association and was a director on the Michigan Humanities Council.  She currently serves as secretary of the St. Ignace Area Creative Arts Council, and is active in Keeping the Piece Quilters’ Guild’s Quilt Study Group.  She is currently researching quilts made from scraps left over in various Michigan textile industries.  Paquin also volunteers with the Mackinac County Animal Aid Association and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

                “I’m excited to have Molly as a member of the MHS staff.  She brings experience and expertise to the Executive Director position and I’m very much looking forward to working with her.”, said David Kunze, President of the Michilimackinac Historical Society.

                “The Historical Society will honor outgoing Interim Director Bill Peek at an open house at the Straits Cultural Center, 20 North State Street, St. Ignace, on Sunday, August 6 from 4 to 6 pm.  The public is invited to this event to thank Bill for his service, welcome Molly in her new role, and learn about the progress of the center’s development, and view architectural drawings and exhibit plans,” Kunze added.

Paquin can be reached at mpaquin.mhs@gmail.com or by calling 906-984-2234.  Her office is in the Michigan Made Store, 330 N. State Street. The Store is operated by the Historical Society to fund operations.