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Curator resigns to pursue book
By Richard Reeder
This document was published online on Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Amidst ongoing administrative changes at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a search will begin for a new curator.
After six years, Juti Winchester resigned June 12 as curator of the Buffalo Bill Museum.
“This was somewhat unexpected,” BBHC executive director/CEO Bruce Eldredge said. “Juti is interested in writing a book (about Buffalo Bill).”
Eldredge said he's moved up the reinstallation of the Buffalo Bill Museum by two years.
“The remodel was moved back to 2013 when it was decided to remodel the Whitney Gallery this year,” he said. “But I moved it up to 2011, which would mean more work for Juti.
“She didn't say so in so many words, but I think she had to choose what she wanted to do,” he added. “I know that when you write a book you need to do it then or it gets cold.”
“She did a great job and we're sorry to see her go,” he added.
As one of his last acts as director of the Center for Western American Studies, assistant director Bob Pickering appointed Winchester as a research associate to CWAS.
“This gives her full access and privileges to all our archives and libraries,” Pickering said. “That will help her finish her research for her book.”
On Tuesday, Eldredge appointed Dr. John Rumm, Ph.D., as interim curator. Rumm has been the editor-in-chief of the Buffalo Bill Papers project under the guidance of Kurt Graham in the McCracken Research Library.
The Buffalo Bill Papers project was created to gather, organize, digitize and edit historical material related to Buffalo Bill.
In August 2007 the Legislature approved $300,000 for the project. The BBHC matched that amount to fund the multi-year effort.
“John has a great deal of experience,” Eldredge said. “He's been a museum director.
“And he's been a great editor of the Buffalo Bill Papers,” he added. “He'll come up to speed quickly on the project and everything we need to do.”
A national search will be conducted for a new curator. The Buffalo Bill Museum advisory board and BBHC board of trustees will be involved in that process.
“This needs to be open and inclusive so everyone buys into it,” Eldredge said. “The decision is mine and the executive staff's, but we need to make sure we draw on all the resources we can.”
Gretchen Adams will serve as interim editor of the Buffalo Bill Papers.
During trustee meetings this week, the BBHC's long-term goals will be discussed.
“On Friday we'll have a planning retreat and review the planning and mission of the BBHC,” Eldredge said. “We'll be drawing up a list of the top 10 things we need to accomplish in the next 10 years.”
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