Leadership Change Announced At State's History Museum

Connecticut Museum of Culture and History

HARTFORD, CT — A longtime state historian with more than three decades working to showcase and preserve knowledge and history in the museum field.

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, formerly known as Connecticut Historical Society, announced last month that its executive director and chief executive officer, Robert A. Kret, will retire, stepping down from his role effective April 2026.

On Oct. 27, trustees unanimously voted to appoint Ilene Frank, deputy executive director and chief strategy officer as the next executive director and CEO, effective April 2026.

Kret will remain in the leadership role until the director transition is complete.

Kret retires after 35 years in the museum field, holding various leadership roles at renowned arts and cultural institutions.

“We are deeply appreciative of Rob’s leadership and the contributions he has made to the museum over the past seven years,” Michael Cantor, chairman of the museum's board of trustees, said.

“Under his leadership, the museum has seen tremendous growth. Rob is an experienced, passionate leader with a heartfelt interest in promoting the museum and its significance in the state and on the national level. The Connecticut Museum is even more relevant today because of his efforts.”

Kret joined the Museum in 2019, after leading the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, N.M.

During his tenure at the Connecticut Museum, Kret oversaw expansion planning efforts, a strategic rebranding, secured three Congressionally Directed Spending grants of $1 million, and was awarded state and national awards for exhibitions and programming.

Museum officials also said he increased statewide marketing and awareness of the seventh-oldest historical society in the country.

In addition, the museum hired new staff and expanded its operational budget to exceed $5 million.

“It has been truly an honor to work with Rob over the past few years,” said Sylvia Kelly, president of the board of trustees. “His depth of knowledge in the field, coupled with his bold vision for the organization, has effected real and lasting changes.”

Kret called his time in Connecticut an "extraordinary opportunity."

“It has been an extraordinary opportunity to serve the people of Connecticut in bringing forward the many cultures and historical stories of this state,” Kret said.

“I have worked with a team of talented colleagues, whom I now call friends, and feel confident that I am leaving the museum in a stronger place. As the museum has reached its momentous 200th year, I am very confident about what is ahead with Ilene Frank leading the museum into its next century.”

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1825 as the state’s premier historical society and cultural institution. Located in the historic West End of Hartford, the museum houses exhibitions, a library, a research center, and a vast collection that includes more than 4 million manuscripts, graphics, objects, and artifacts.

For more information on the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, click on this link.