Robbins retires from history group; New leader named for society

The Bartholomew County Historical Society is changing leadership.

The historical society board of directors has announced that executive director Diane Robbins has completed her retirement from the organization, after leading it since January of 2018. Robbins announced her plans to step down last fall.

The board of directors praised Robbins tenure, including significant improvements at the historical society museum on Third Street and at the Henry Breeding Farm. She has brought back the annual Open Door tours, and led the creation of the annual Christmas themed Trees through Time exhibit. Last summer, the first Chuck Taylor Day was held including the installation of a giant Chuck Taylor sneaker sculpture outside the museum. And she has been involved most recently with an installation at the museum as part of last year’s Exhibit Columbus installations.

Looking back on her time with the historical society, Robbins issued a statement saying “When you work for a non-for-profit, you learn the true meaning of collaboration and team work, of giving back to your community and appreciating the dedication of so many others working to make Columbus and Bartholomew County the best it can be.”

The organization’s new leader will be Meghan Smith who is conservation lab manager at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis.

Photo: Outgoing Bartholomew County Historical Society Executive Director Diane Robbins with the giant Chuck Taylor shoe in front of the museum. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Historical Society.