EASTON — The general manager for the Talbot Historical Society stepped down on Sept. 11 after an eight-and-a-half-year run, and the nonprofit recently promoted another longtime employee to the management position.
Larry Denton, who is in his seventies, retired and cleared the way for new leadership under Peggy Morey. The staff change marks a new era for the organization as the latest general manager promises to bring a fresh perspective to the 66-year-old Talbot Historical Society.
Morey, who served as the collections manager at the Society for four years, said her focus as the new manager is to engage a more “young and diverse” audience. She emphasized that including younger perspectives, such as her new assistant Erin Pogue, will contribute to that goal.
“I think, just with her ideas, (my assistant) will add to our ability to attract younger people,” she said.
Morey is also bringing a woman’s perspective into the mix and will tinker on exhibits such as the Women’s Suffrage movement. Mostly, though, she will be remodeling the society’s virtual presence.
“We are upgrading our website, we’re looking for a much bigger online presence through Facebook Live events, and the first one will be on baseball in October,” she said. “Overall, more of a social media presence to remain vibrant in this time of COVID.”
Denton will remain on the board of the Talbot Historical Society, but he said it was time for him to step down from managing day-to-day operations. He said the organization is in good hands under Morey because she “knows the place.”
“It’s been a good run — we accomplished many things and had some fun,” he added.
Across a sprawling campus in Easton, the Talbot Historical Society owns six buildings full of historical exhibits, photographs and artifacts documenting life in Talbot County.
Under both Denton and Morey, the Society has expanded exhibit space, added to its photographic collection, which now totals more than 60,000, and established exhibits based on local communities Unionville and The Hill.
“Just the photographs alone are a real gem,” said Richard Trippe, the president of the society. “Larry has done so much for us and moved us forward, Peggy has done a wonderful job as collector and she’s a great step toward the future of the Talbot Historical Society.”
Trippe said that when Denton announced he would step down from the society, he looked at the existing staff and realized “we had it all right here.” He offered the position to Morey, who was caught by surprise but quickly accepted.
“We got somebody who we know and who loves us,” Trippe said. “She has all the heart in it.”
Morey grew up in Washington, D.C., but went to school at Towson University and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She lives in Oxford with her husband and two dogs.
Morey remains active in the community and volunteers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. On most days, Morey can be seen with her own dogs at the Talbot Historical Society.
The Society remains closed during the pandemic, but it will open its doors in 2021 to a new exhibit — the African-American room inside the Mary Jenkins House.
Morey said the nonprofit will be breaking new ground in the future and she’s excited to be at the helm of it.
“I’m humbled and excited,” she said. “I think we are moving forward in a very positive direction.”
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