Illinois State Museum Announces New Director

 

[June 15, 2019] 

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced the appointment of Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko as director of the Illinois State Museum. The appointment is the result of a nationwide search by a special committee of the State Museum Board.

“We’re extremely excited to have Cinnamon on board as the new director of the Illinois State Museum,” said Colleen Callahan, director, IDNR. “She brings with her a wealth of experience, knowledge and energy and we can’t wait for her to take the reins of the Illinois State Museum.”

Catlin-Legutko returns to her Midwestern roots following a highly successful term as the president and CEO of the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine. At the Abbe, she diversified and solidified the financial base, strengthened community involvement, including successful collaboration with the native Wabanaki people.

Prior to her service at the Abbe Museum, she led the General Lew Wallace Study and Museum to the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries when it was awarded a 2008 National Medal for Museum Service by the Institute of Museum and Library Service and the White House. Catlin-Legutko is a graduate of Purdue University and the University of Arkansas.

Catlin-Legutko has served on the Board of the American Association for State and Local History and currently serves on the American Alliance of Museums Board of Directors. She has lectured and written extensively on museum best practices, including diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in museums, and is a nationally recognized leader in the museum field.

“We are very pleased to have Ms. Catlin-Legutko lead the Museum as we strive toward greater inclusiveness and expand our service to Illinois citizens and beyond,” said Dr. Lorin Nevling, chairman, Illinois State Museum Board. “We will celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2027 and much remains to be done prior to that time. The Board of the Museum is eager to work with Director Catlin-Legutko to assure a brilliant future for the museum.”

The Illinois State Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. The Museum is located at 502 South Spring Street in Springfield on the Capitol Complex.

Admission is $5 for adults ages 19-64 and is free for youth, seniors, and veterans. In addition to the Springfield Museum, other public Museum facilities are found at the Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewiston and the Lockport Gallery in Lockport.

[Illinois Office of Communication and Information]