HYANNIS – Long time President and CEO of the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, John Allen, will be stepping down at the end of this year.
Allen disclosed his intention to retire to foundation directors last fall and has shared his plans with staff, major donors and friends of the museum.
Allen spearheaded a complete upgrade to exhibits and exhibit areas throughout the museum during his nearly seven year tenure as President and CEO.
He also played a major role in the expansion of cultural programming across the Cape and Islands, including the Summer Speaker Series.
“I think we’ve really become an important aspect of the community across the Cape, people come in and feel there is a message there and I wanted to see people inspired,” said Allen.
“I also think we really put together programs for areas that are underserved on the Cape, that’s probably what I’m the most proud of.”
Allen launched efforts in recent years to modernize the building, such as renovating space on the second floor to create the Scudder Family Community room.
He hand a big hand in helping the museum bring to life to its newest exhibit, “Cape Cod Remembers JFK Jr.” which is now open to the public.
Allen has also led the growth of the museum’s civic education programs and youth activates, with 2,400 Cape and Islands youths partaking in museum related educational activities last year.
“I’ll look back and I know this is important work and it was work that mattered,” he said.
The museum is the fourth largest major attraction on Cape Cod, with an average of 70,000 annual visitors from the U.S. and around the world.
A succession committee was established in March to search for the museums next president, it is anticipated that the committee will complete the search by the fall.
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