Of Fond Farewells, Welcomes, and New Beginnings

What a difference a couple months can make. As winter turned to spring, I was rounding the corner into my tenth year as museum director of the California State Railroad Museum. The job was good. Life was good. And then I saw an intriguing job on LinkedIn. And then it kept coming up in conversations I had with colleagues at both CSU Sacramento and California State Parks, and among my many personal and community connections. I know that there were many qualified people who, like me, put their best foot forward. I feel fortunate that City leadership, including Megan Van Voorhis, found alignment in my vision for publicly engaged history and entrusted me with this important role. Sacramento is a world-class city. Its history is important and far-reaching, and it has much to say to its residents and to the world.

As I have started to wade into what I intend to be a long tenure as Sacramento City Historian, two emotions stay with me. The first is a profound sense of responsibility to Sacramentans, past, present, and future. It is important that we treat their stories with care and tell of their lives and times in ways that are truthful and accurate. It is also important that we collect objects and stories that represent the wide range of Sacramento experiences. The second emotion is gratitude, which comes in ample measure and from every direction. A couple of weeks ago, the California State Railroad Museum and the larger Capital District of California State Parks gave me a generous send-off. Having spent 26 years with California State Parks, departing was more than bittersweet. The welcome has been as fond as the farewell. Everyone at the City, and especially the staff at the Center for Sacramento History (CSH) has been quick to help and generous with both their time and expertise.

The staff at CSH are few, but they are mighty! I am happy to work with them to further the missions of both CSH and our larger Department of Convention and Cultural Services. I am also thrilled to work within and for the larger community. I have already had many wonderful conversations with passionate residents and, here at the beginning of this new chapter, as I begin to think about future messages in this newsletter, please let us know what you would like to hear from me. What kinds of stories or insights would you like me to share and in what format?

After all, I am yours in service.

Ty