Group appoints Wendling interim director

ROGERS — The Rogers Historical Museum has an interim director following the director’s quiet resignation. Assistant Director Terrilyn Wendling is serving as the museum’s director, she said Thursday during a Rogers Historical Museum Commission meeting. Former director John Burroughs’ last day was Dec. 15. Wendling started working for the museum in 2006 as a collection assistant and eventually moved up to the assistant director spot in 2013, the same time Burroughs moved up to the director position following former director Gaye Bland’s retirement, she said. There is no timeline for when a permanent director will be hired, said Kathleen Dickerson, historic museum commissioner. Mayor Greg Hines will pick a new director and said Wendling will serve as interim director until he makes his decision. “Essentially, our museum has the same certifications as the Smithsonian, so it does require a highly educated and credentialed director,” Hines said. “But you also have to be willing to roll your sleeves up like John was and do some work as well. It creates a set of challenges that’s going to be the hardest part.” The museum recently moved its offices and exhibits to the newly renovated Hailey Ford/Rogers Morning News building at 313 S. Second St. in downtown Rogers. The museum first opened in 1975 in a rented 1905 former bank building. The Harold Hawkins family donated the 1895 Hawkins House on South Second Street seven

“Essentially, our museum has the same certifications as the Smithsonian, so it does require a highly educated and credentialed director.” — Rogers Mayor Greg Hines

years later, and an addition was completed in 1987. Efforts to expand again began in 2006, and the Hailey Ford/Rogers Morning News building became available in 2015 when Northwest Arkansas Newspapers closed its Rogers office. Northwest Arkansas Newspapers is the parent company of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. An opening celebration took place Dec. 13. Burroughs spoke at the opening ceremony but did not say he had resigned. Wendling said everything has been running smoothly since the museum opened in its new spot. She said she’s focusing on putting together a five-year plan for the museum, such as its exhibits. Becca Martin-Brown contributed to this story. Alex Golden can be reached by email at agolden@ nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWAalexgolden.