VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Dec. 16, 2020) – Following an extensive national search, the Cultural Affairs Department and Virginia Beach History Museums are excited to announce the selection of Annmarie Reiley-Kay as their next History Museums Director, effective January 4, 2021.
Reiley-Kay previously served as Executive Director at the Historic Latta Plantation in Huntersville, NC from 2018 to 2020, and is currently the Director of Museum Studies and an Adjunct Professor at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC, a position she’s held since 2015. Reiley-Kay also has extensive experience managing museum collections, having worked as Collections Manager at Destination Cleveland County and the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, NC from 2009 to 2012, and as the Curator of Collections at the Earl Scruggs Center from 2012 to 2015.
“We are tremendously excited to have Annmarie join the Virginia Beach History Museums team,” said
Emily Labows, Director of the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department. “During the interview process, her wide-ranging experience, passion for history and visionary spirit showed us that she will excel in this leadership role and help bring first-class experiences to museum audiences.”
Reiley-Kay received her bachelor’s degree in History from Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC and her master’s degree in Museum Studies from Leicester University in the United Kingdom. Adding to her impressive resume, Reiley-Kay has also served as a board member of the North Carolina Museums Council and Beaufort History Museum, as well as an advisory board member for the South Carolina Humanities.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Cultural Affairs Department as the History Museums Director with the City of Virginia Beach, and I can’t wait to get to work with our tremendous staff, volunteers and community stakeholders,” said Reiley-Kay. “As a history and museum lover, I am looking forward to sharing community stories, as well as preserving and exhibiting the unique cultural history of Virginia Beach with residents and visitor alike.”
As the Virginia Beach History Museums Director, Reiley-Kay will be responsible for the day to day operations of the Francis Land House, Lynnhaven House, Thoroughgood House and the Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum.
ABOUT THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT:
The Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. The Department assists and directs the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission, coordinates the City's Public Art Program, oversees Virginia Beach History Museums, provides contract management for the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, serves as the liaison with Virginia MOCA and the ViBe Creative District, and serves as a resource to local arts and humanities organizations.