Grace Gary Email & Phone Number

Wilmington, North Carolina Area

The 47,000 square-foot mansion and 222-acre estate of Alfred I. duPont; owned and operated by The Nemours Foundation. Oversaw the planning for a multi-year total restoration of the mansion, gardens and twenty-four outbuildings; phases one through five are complete with an investment of approximately $70 million. Additional specific accomplishments include: Increased annual visitation by 70%; Coordinated and supervised the design of new Visitor Center and exhibit;  Phase one of the restoration won the Silver Medal from the PA Society of the American Institute of Architects Secured feature articles in The Magazine Antiques, Architectural Digest, Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington Post, Wall St. Journal, Los Angeles Times plus numerous other publications and media outlets Coordinated and participated in writing of script for Visitor Center film;  Co-wrote and oversaw design of Nemours: A Portrait of Alfred I. duPont and His House, published by Rizzoli in fall 2011; Responsible for $7.5 million annual budget and supervision of 69 staff members ($2.2 million annual budget in 2004).

Aspen, Colorado

A community-based repository of more than 30,000 documents, photographs, and objects representing the history of the Roaring Fork Valley, the Historical Society also operates five significant historic sites in Pitkin County; responsible for planning and successfully completing a $1 million capital campaign (the society’s first), expanding educational programs, and initiating planning for a new history museum.

Greater New Orleans Area

A historic museum and eight acre historic garden listed on the National Register of Historic Places with an annual visitation of 55,000+; responsible for the administration of a $1.5 million annual operating budget and an approximately $2 million-a-year restoration budget and supervision of a thirty-six person staff. Specific accomplishments include: Restored six buildings, two major gardens, removed asbestos throughout the property, and installed new HVAC system; Increased community programs from 17 in 1997 to 96 in 1999; Secured partnership with Aspen Institute for Aspen Institute at Longue Vue, the first such Institute partnership in more than thirty years; Increased unrestricted giving by 20%; Supervised construction of children’s Discovery Garden; Grew primary fundraising event, “Sentimental Journeys,” from net receipts of $350,000 to $522,000.

Williamsburg, Virginia

America’s largest living history museum; responsible for the creation of a new program to provide training in cultural tourism management to foreign tourism professionals and American community leaders and for establishment of the “Felicity in Williamsburg” program. Specific accomplishments include: Secured contracts for heritage tourism training programs with Czech Republic Ministry of Culture, Russian Federation State of Novgorod, Bermuda National Trust, Russian State Museum/Peter and Paul Fortress, City of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic; Delivered $750,000+ in new ticket sales through “Felicity in Williamsburg” program.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Area

A statewide nonprofit revolving fund and membership organization; responsible for the administration of a $2,000,000 annual budget and supervision of six-person staff; reported to the Board of Directors. Specific accomplishments include: Established development program resulting in more than $2.5 million; in first year increased fundraising by 1000% over previous year;  Completed revolving fund projects saving 25 buildings;  Created $600,000 Philadelphia Intervention Grant Fund; Administered $1.5 million annual grant-and-loan program.

Bachelor'S Degree, History & English

Activities and Societies: National Merit Scholar, President of Student Government.

Master'S Degree, Architectural History

Thesis: “Shingle Style Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, 1889-1893”