New Executive Director And CEO Appointed At Greenwich Historical Society

GREENWICH, CT — Carol B. Cadou has been appointed Executive Director and CEO of the Greenwich Historical Society, effective Aug. 25, the organization’s Board of Trustees announced.

Cadou brings more than three decades of experience in museum management, historic preservation, and curatorial leadership. Her prior roles include leading The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA), the Winterthur Museum in Delaware, and serving as senior staff at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

She will succeed Debra Mecky, who is retiring after 30 years with the Historical Society, during which she significantly expanded the organization’s scope, facilities, and community engagement.

"The search committee and Board of Trustees are thrilled to welcome Carol Cadou at an exciting and pivotal time of growth for our organization," said Historical Society Board Chair Catherine Tompkins in a prepared statement. "Looking ahead to next year and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence as well as to Greenwich Historical Society's centennial milestone in 2031, we believe Carol’s leadership will help us fulfill our mission to preserve and interpret Greenwich history to strengthen the community’s connection to our past, to each other and to our future."

Cadou will oversee all aspects of the nationally accredited museum’s operations, which include rotating art and history exhibitions, educational programming, and stewardship of the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House.

"Carol Cadou, with her extensive experience and enthusiasm, will work closely with the staff and Board to sharpen the Historical Society’s vision for the future and further strengthen its position as the sole organization in Greenwich dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the town’s history," said Peter Malkin, honorary trustee and member of the search committee, in a prepared statement.

During her tenure with the NSCDA, Cadou led a $2.5 million capital campaign for the Dumbarton House Museum in Washington, D.C., delivering new educational spaces, visitor amenities, and accessibility improvements. At Winterthur, she managed a $20 million operating budget and oversaw a 200,000-object collection of fine and decorative arts, ensuring the fiscal health of a $350 million endowment.

"At a time when historic buildings and collections are threatened due to lack of funds, and American history is receiving less attention in K-12 curricula, Greenwich Historical Society has doubled down on its commitment to historic preservation and education," Cadou said in a prepared statement. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and schools on this critical work.”

Cadou holds a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College, a master's in early american culture from the University of Delaware’s Winterthur Program, and an MBA from Ohio University. She has also earned an American Arts certification from Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

An author and editor, Cadou’s published works include "Stewards of Memory: The Past, Present, and Future of Historic Preservation at George Washington’s Mount Vernon," (University of Virginia Press, 2018). Her forthcoming title, "Great American Treasures: Women Preserving History Since 1891," highlights historic sites managed by the NSCDA.