Stickley Museum Director Bids Adieu After 6 Years

After six years, the executive director of the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is hanging up her hat.

Heather Stivison announced on Wednesday that her last day is Oct. 9. The museum is now looking for a successor to lead the museum into its next phase.

“It has been an honor and privilege to hold the position of Executive Director for the past six years,” Stivison said.  “I am proud of the tremendous progress that has occurred during this time.”

Stivison leaves behind a successful legacy at Stickley Museum.

Attendance has grown more than 400 percent in the past six years and the museum received grant funding for restoration and contributions to stabilize and restore many of the primary campus buildings, said Barbara Weiskittel, President of The Craftsman Farms Foundation. 

In August, the New Jersey Historical Commission recently awarded the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms a grant of $27,212.

“This is a very bittersweet moment,” said Weiskittel “While we are very sad to lose Heather, we are happy for her that she's chosen to move onto a new and exciting phase in her career. She has made enormous contributions to Craftsman Farms and we wish her the very best.”

Stivison’s husband Doug is a pastor who was called to serve in a Congregational Church in New England, so they’re moving and Stivison plans to return to her previous career as an artist and writer. 

Vonda Givens, the museum’s currently the Director of Education at The Stickley Museum, has agreed to serve as the Acting Executive Director during the search..  

“It has been an honor and privilege to hold the position of Executive Director for the past six years,” Ms. Stivison said.  “I am proud of the tremendous progress that has occurred during this time.”

This is a very bittersweet moment,” said Barbara Weiskittel, President of The Craftsman Farms Foundation. “While we are very sad to lose Heather, we are happy for her that she's chosen to move onto a new and exciting phase in her career. She has made enormous contributions to Craftsman Farms and we wish her the very best.”

“The museum developed a comprehensive historic site master plan after Ms. Stivison arrived,” said Weiskittel. “Important rooms in the museum and buildings on the property have been restored, and many outstanding programs have become regular parts of our annual public offering, including The Emerging Scholars Symposium, Family Days, and The Stickley Design Invitational.” 

The Board of Trustees of The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms will review both internal and external candidates for Ms. Stivison's successor. .

“The museum developed a comprehensive historic site master plan after Ms. Stivison arrived,” said Ms. Weiskittel. “Important rooms in the museum and buildings on the property have been restored, and many outstanding programs have become regular parts of our annual public offering, including The Emerging Scholars Symposium, Family Days, and The Stickley Design Invitational.” 

“In addition, significant partnerships leading to outstanding exhibitions were created, such as ‘Styling an American Family,’ in collaboration with Syracuse University, which attracted visitors from across the United States as well as many international countries,” said Weiskittel. “The Craftsman Farms Foundation is strong, with a committed and passionate Board of Trustees who will guide the organization into its next phase of growth. We will ensure a smooth transition during this time of change.”

Givens has worked at the museum for the past five and a half years and brings extensive operational experience to her interim role. She started many of the museum's existing educational programs, provides a wealth of knowledge about the organization and the Arts and Crafts movement, and has been instrumental in the development of the vision for the future of the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, said the museum.