New history director sees ‘good base to grow from’

Jennifer Thiele grew up in museums.

The new Steele County Historical Society (SCHS) director’s mother worked in the field.

“We were young enough that she would take us with her, so I grew up helping out,” said Thiele, who started work on May 1. “I spent a lot of time in museums in Minnesota and Iowa. It’s something I’m very interested in and really care about.”

After earning a degree at the University of Oregon, Thiele’s first museum job was with the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum in Tillamook, Ore. She also served as director of the Floyd County Historical Society and Museum and director of development for the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, both in Iowa.

Thiele said she didn’t always want to be a museum director.

“I started out as a researcher and historian,” she said, “writing books and working with archives. That was my job in Tillamook. It was my dream job.”

After working closely with a director, though, she decided to take on the larger role–and found she liked it.

“I enjoy the challenge of making a museum sustainable financially and doing things that will keep the community interested in the museum,” Thiele said.

When the SCHS position opened, Thiele applied in part because her parents live nearby in Rochester. She also became aware of SCHS through the Orphanage Museum, while doing research for her master’s thesis on trains that carried thousands of orphaned children from eastern states to the Midwest.

Thiele was also impressed by the range and variety of SCHS assets–the museum and Village of Yesteryear on Austin Road, and buildings and Orphanage Museum on the West Hills campus.

“It’s actually more than I expected,” she said. “This organization is one of the most well run I’ve seen. It’s got all the bells and whistles in place, and an active and engaged board dedicated to ensuring this museum is sustainable.”

Thiele said the board of directors and staff have done “an amazing job” of managing SCHS since the departure of former director Kellen Hinrichsen, who left last August to join the United Way of Steele County as donor development coordinator.

Among her goals for the near future, Thiele said, is working with the board to get a strategic plan in place and “see where we want to be four or five years from now.” She plans to connect with the schools; in Floyd County, the museum recruited high school students as volunteers.

“It was absolutely amazing to see them take ownership and pride in their work,” she said.

Thiele encourages students who have an interest in volunteering with the museum to contact her, and “We’ll see if we can find an opportunity that meets their needs.”

Thiele also plans to evaluate programs and exhibits to get an idea about the audience the SCHS is already capturing, and find ways to get more of the community involved, “so that we’re designing and customizing (programs) to make sure they feel heard.”

“Right now, I am very much listening,” she added.

Upcoming Museum Events

Volunteer Fair – June 7

Storytelling with the Rendezvous Group – July 8

Extravaganza – July 9

Gus’ Station Car Show – July 15

Jazz Jam on the Patio with H30 – July 30