NEWPORT — The board of the Lincoln County Historical Society has hired Jeffrey Syrop as its new executive director to replace Susan Tissot, who retired Tuesday. Tissot had led the organization the past two years.
The nonprofit organization oversees and operates the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center and the Burrows House Museum in Newport.
Syrop worked in local museums for seven years, starting as the society’s curator in 2017 before becoming the executive director of the North Lincoln County Historical Museum in Lincoln City for 5½ years. He returned to Newport six months ago as the society’s collections specialist.
“It’s been so wonderful working with this talented staff and learning from the leadership of Susan Tissot over the last six months,” Syrop said in a news release on his promotion. “I’m very excited to get started and feel honored to be selected by our board.”
In the last six months the LCHS staff completed and updated three exhibits at the maritime heritage center, made progress on comprehensive collections projects, and revamped and reopened the Burrows House Museum.
Syrop has been a museum professional and archaeologist since 2008, with a degree in anthropology with an emphasis on museum studies from Missouri Valley College.
The historical society is holding its annual membership meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the maritime center, including board elections and museum updates.