Meet new Greater Kent Historical Society executive director at June 7 open house, reception

Published 4:35 pm Monday, May 22, 2017

The Greater Kent Historical Society recently hired Tessa Yeaman as its full-time executive director.

The community is invited to meet Yeaman at an open house and reception from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the Kent Historical Museum, 855 E. Smith St.

“I’m looking forward to creating some new programming and a more diversified collection of temporary exhibits to reflect the changing demographic of the valley” Yeaman said in a media release. “We understand that the museum is a critical part of the community and is crucial to helping the next generation understand the importance of their local history.”

The museum plans to soon open a community-curated exhibit focusing on local Somali history.

Yeaman earned a masters degree in museum studies from the University of Washington in 2015 and worked for Seattle Public Schools as a social studies teacher.

The museum plans to increase usage in local schools by creating an outreach curriculum that will help teachers satisfy state standards through the unique scope of Kent history.

During Experience Kent in August, the museum will offer historic walking tours of downtown Kent and the Mill Creek neighborhood on the weekends.

“All of these are steps to increasing our community presence and helping people rethink what this museum is all about, and I look forward to being a part of it,” Yeaman said.

Yeaman will be paid $40,000 a year plus benefits. The city of Kent allocated $60,000 in its budget to cover salary and benefits for the position. The museum is owned by the city but operated by the historical society.