Although there are a few displays at the Stratford Perth Museum that Kelly McIntosh is drawn to, one in particular holds a special place in her heart.
In the Canadian National Railway (CNR) exhibit is a small photo and paragraph entitled, 'Women at Work'.
In 2016, McIntosh was so drawn to the display that she developed a theatre show called The Ladies of the CNR, which ended up touring across southwestern Ontario and led her to tracking down one woman in the back of the photo, Ilona Steinacker, who was still alive at the time.
McIntosh got to interview Steinacker, which snowballed into more and more learning, as McIntosh explained.
“That wonderful moment led me to an idea to make the project about more than that,” McIntosh said. “Really to make it about finding women in the region who might still be alive to tell the story of what they did during the war. There's so many fascinating stories out in the county and in Stratford.”
Now, McIntosh returns to the museum as the newly announced general manager – intent to explore more of those fascinating stories.
She takes over the role from John Kastner, who announced his retirement earlier this year after ten years steering the ship.
Like Kastner, McIntosh does not come to the role with experience in leading or curating museums – although she did work at the Stratford Perth Museum for four years.
McIntosh has an extensive background in theatre, arts, and heritage administration. Most recently, she has worked as audience development coordinator and artistic associate at the Blyth Festival Theatre.
Although her primary responsibilities involved donor, sponsor, and member relations, experience that will prove useful in her new role, it is her experience as a storyteller that David Stones, Board of Directors Chair, said landed her the role.
“Fifty per cent of the purpose of the museum is to tell the story behind the artifact,” Stones said. “You have to find imaginative, creative, inventive ways of telling your story … we have to present things in a way that's going to be different for people and more attractive and compelling. And that's where Kelly's skills will be very important to the museum – in addition to Kelly's excellent business acumen, experience with grant writing, donor stewardship, membership, stewardship and all those very important drivers of our business.”
McIntosh was the successful candidate for the role which garnered a national response. Stones said that they got applications from across the country, with an assortment of backgrounds and experiences.
One area that McIntosh is hoping to expand on is the agricultural sector of the region, saying that there may be some enhancement of that sector on the horizon, though Stones pointed out that the long-term vision of the museum is under the board’s purview.
As it happens, a new strategic plan for the museum will be developed in early 2024 by the board and McIntosh will be poised to lead the museum in that new direction.
“Kelly will be instrumental to that,” Stones said.
McIntosh starts at the museum on Nov. 20. She will have an overlap period with Kastner, who retires at the end of the month.
McIntosh will officially take over the leadership starting Dec. 1.