FREEHOLD – Monmouth County Historical Association has announced the appointment of Evelyn C. Murphy, Ph.D., as director following a national search.
Murphy has more than three decades of management experience in business, government and the nonprofit sector. She has worked with several museums, arts organizations and historical societies. She joined the association on a consulting basis as interim director in March 2012 following the retirement of longtime director Lee Ellen Griffith, Ph.D.
As director, Murphy serves as the chief executive of the association, responsible for overall management of the organization, its collections and properties, and its staff and volunteers.
“Dr. Murphy brings to this position the unique set of skills necessary to lead Monmouth County Historical Association forward in challenging times,” said Claire Knopf, president of the association’s board of trustees. “The board of trustees is pleased that she has agreed to join us and we look forward to the positive influence she will have on the association and its mission.”
Established in 1898, Monmouth County Historical Association operates a museum, a library and archives and five historic houses in Monmouth County. Its museum collection holds more than 30,000 artifacts. Its library and archives hold over 10,000 primary and secondary resource materials related to the history and genealogy of the area dating from the 17th century to the present. The association’s historic houses give visitors a unique glimpse of the past.
As interim director, Murphy oversaw the development of the association’s groundbreaking exhibition Micah Williams: Portrait Artist and its accompanying catalogue.
“I am honored and delighted to have the opportunity to work with our gifted team of staff and volunteers as we celebrate the 115th birthday of Monmouth County Historical Association and the 350th birthday of New Jersey,” she said. “With strong support from our members and donors as well as important funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission and the County of Monmouth, we are making great strides in providing even greater levels of service to the community at large.”
A resident of Bradley Beach, Murphy holds a Ph.D. in economics from Michigan State University and a B.A. in economics from Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y.
