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Eldredge takes ‘dream job’ as BBHC director
By Richard Reeder
This document was published online on Monday, December 17, 2007
The Buffalo Bill Historical Center has selected a new executive director.
Bruce Eldredge will begin his new job Jan. 28. He currently is CEO of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture in Spokane, Wash.
He was one of two finalists who visited Cody recently and replaces Bob Shimp, who retired in April after five years.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be coming to the BBHC and Cody,” Eldredge said. “This is a job I’ve wanted for 20 years.
“This is the only job I’ve sought since I came to Spokane,” he added. “The BBHC is something I want to be a part of.”
Eldredge, 55, has visited Cody and the BBHC in the past few years.
“I know (former director) Peter Hassrick and we visited when I was at the Remington museum,” he said. “In the early 1980s I heard about and visited the BBHC many times.”
In fact, Shimp had an influence on Eldredge.
“Bob was my graduate advisor in school,” he said. “So I’ve been able to talk to him and find out more about the job.
“I’ve known the past directors here for about 30 years,” he added. “I’m glad to be a part of that tradition now.”
Eldredge has more than 30 years experience in museums. His work includes launching a 15-year, $20 million endowment at the Spokane museum, revitalizing the American Indian Cultural Council and Center for Plateau Cultural Studies, and garnering a $450,000 federal appropriation for the American Indian Plateau Center Web site.
He has directed the Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso, N.M., Stark Museum of Art in Orange, Texas, Tucson Museum of Art and the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg, N.Y.
Eldredge holds a bachelor’s in American history and geography from Ohio Wesleyan University, and a master’s in museum administration from Texas Tech.
He served internships during college at the Margaret Woodbury Stron Museum, Long Island/Brooklyn Historical Society, and Rhode Island Historical Society. He was a student assistant in the Archives and Special Collections at Ohio Wesleyan.
“We are absolutely delighted Bruce will become our new executive director and CEO,” BBHC board chairman Al Simpson said. “His extensive museum experience set him above the field of many fine candidates.
“We’re pleased nearly all the employees at the center had the opportunity to meet the final candidates and present their views to the search committee,” he added. “We on the board are eager to have Bruce and his wife Jan join us in our mission.”
Eldredge plans to meet with the staff and trustees once he’s here to begin to map the center’s future.
“It will take some time for me to get to know the staff and trustees,” he said. “But then we need to make creating a major vision and plan a priority.
“Fundraising will be a major part of that,” he added. “I haven’t worked at a museum that didn’t need more money.”
He’ll be meeting with the development staff to address major fundraising needs.
“We’ll talk about this fiscal year and then on into the future,” he said. “Major fundraising needs to address the renovation of existing exhibit space.
“This is a major component of what we need,” he added. “We want to continue to improve the center and its exhibits.”
Eldredge said fundraising has changed since he entered the museum field.
“Generally, museum fundraising rises and falls with the local economy,” he said. “The BBHC has a more national presence, so it’s not tied so much to the Cody cycle.
“In the past we didn’t have to compete with schools and other agencies that are now doing fundraising,” he added. “As more public needs go unfunded by the government, it makes fundraising tougher than ever.”
Eldredge said he was impressed with the staff during the interview process.
“I was able to speak directly with them and hear their views,” he said. “Everyone contributes on a professional level.
“The CEO guides the ship and handles fundraising,” he added. “The staff makes the museum and we have an exceptional group.”
The Eldredges are looking forward to the move to Cody. Jan recently earned her master’s degree in health policy and administration.
“She’s applying for positions at the hospital and other health care agencies there,” he said. “She’s also worked as a bank manager and directed the real estate board in New Mexico.
“She’s been good about being dragged around the country,” he added. “I don’t think she’ll have trouble finding work.”
They have two grown daughters. Lindsay is married and lives in Seattle and Barbara is a theater student at Ohio Wesleyan.
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