MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Historical Society has selected historian and author Michael Sherfy as the new director of the historical society museum on Harcourt Road.
Sherfy succeeds James K. Gibson, who served 27 years as director.
Board President Mark Ramser said the board received more than 25 resumes for the part-time position. The Executive Committee interviewed nine people, including several local applicants.
“Mike was offered the position based on his interview, which included his knowledge of Knox County history and extensive educational background in history,” Ramser said.
“The historical society board is excited that Mike has accepted the position.”
Sherfy said that although he is not from Knox County, it has become his home. Part of what attracted him to the position is its connection to broader issues.
“What I find fascinating about local history is that it not only connects people to the place they live or the families that are here, but also how it connects to much bigger concerns, whether that’s the Underground Railroad or industrial matters or just broad social terms,” he said.
“It’s always just been fascinating to me. So to be part of that, I think it’s important.”
Sherfy is the Adult Services librarian at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County. He will continue in that position while assuming the part-time director’s role.
He says the two positions overlap.
“I think that the library as an institution has, but needs to continue developing, collaborative partnerships with local institutions and organizations,” he said. “This seems like the nearly ideal way to facilitate that.”
Organizing the museum’s collection
Sherfy said one of the board’s priorities is to get a handle on the museum’s collection and how to effectively utilize it to tell Knox County’s story while making it accessible to the community.
“Right now, they have an embarrassment of riches, but it’s kind of packed up all over the place and it’s hard to sort through. I’d like to start on getting a handle on that,” he said.
He cautioned that with 20 hours or less a week, things won’t turn around overnight.
“Don’t expect dramatic changes right out of the chute, that’s for sure,” he said with a chuckle.
Sherfy credited Gibson’s hard work and efforts in building the museum’s collection and hopes the former director will continue to serve as a resource.
“He knows the stories and I don’t, so I’m really coming in at a disadvantage,” Sherfy said. “These are big shoes to fill, and I’m coming in with a pretty humble attitude because he has probably forgotten more about Knox County history in general, and certainly about the collection, than I will know.”
Sherfy said he looks forward to the challenge of organizing the collection.
“I’m entering knowing that there are people on the board and people who have volunteered a lot longer than I have been here. So I’m going to have to draw on a lot of their resources and expertise and knowledge,” he said.
“Frankly, it’s just a big job just getting that collection in order, and I hope to move forward on a good path that I know is not going to be a dramatic change. But hopefully good things will happen.”
Sherfy will start as director on Oct. 1 and be at the society’s program that evening at 7:30. The program is open to the public. A welcome reception will follow the program.
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