Discovery Museum CEO to retire
Photo | Courtesy The Discovery Museum
Neil Gordon, the CEO of the Discovery Museum in Acton, will retire on Dec. 31 after 14 years of leading the organization.
Neil Gordon, the CEO of the Discovery Museum in Acton, will retire on Dec. 31 after 14 years of leading the organization.
“Throughout his 13 years as CEO, Neil put kids and their families first. They were his motivation in making access to Discovery Museum more equitable; re-developing the entire campus with a focus on accessibility; creating fun, interesting ways to inspire kids to be in and learn about our natural world; and setting an industry example by becoming the first children’s museum in the country to generate 100% of its electricity onsite,” board President Harry Hollenberg said in a Tuesday press release.
During Gordon’s tenure, the museum saw its operating income triple and assets grow from $1.7 million to $11.7 million, according to the release.
In 2010, the museum launched Open Door Connections, a series of free access initiatives for families of children on the autism spectrum or with hearing or vision loss, along with expanded free or reduced admission opportunities for all visitors.
In 2013, Discovery Museum initiated its first capital campaign in nearly 30 years, ultimately raising $8.8 million to fully fund its plans. In 2016, the museum opened Discovery Woods, a uniquely accessible nature playscape and 550-square-foot accessible treehouse. In March 2018, the museum opened its new building, with every space, exhibit, and feature rooted in universal design principles to be accessible to and enjoyed by the widest range of people.
“The natural creativity and curiosity in every kid is a platform from which they can grow and learn about the wonders of the world around them and their place in it, and we hope to help equip them to take an inspired, active, and fulfilling role in their worlds,” said Gordon in the press release. “The opportunity to support and stoke that in kids, and the joy of seeing endless delight on so many faces, has been an honor that fills me with gratitude for the incredibly dedicated colleagues, determined and visionary Board, and generous and supportive community that truly makes it all possible. I am very grateful for my time here and the impact we have had together.”
The museum had more than 200,000 visitors in 2022, the most since before the coronavirus pandemic.
In its Tuesday announcement of Gordon’s retirement, the museum did not specify plans to fill his position.
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