Revelstoke Railway Museum Executive Director (ED), Jim Cullen, will retire from the role at the end of April.
鈥淚 appreciate the trust and support of our Board of Trustees, members, volunteers, and our many community partners and donors during the past four years,鈥� said Cullen in a press release.
The search for Cullen鈥檚 replacement for the ED role is already underway, as the Board of Trustees for the Heritage Railway Society have until April 30, which is when Cullen will retire. In a press release, Cullen and members of the society reflected on his impact over the past four years in the role.
鈥淲e are sorry to see Jim retire as Executive Director鈥� said Society President George Hopkins in a release. Hopkins added that Cullen had led the society through a tumultuous time during the pandemic and has overseen several grants and capital projects.
The Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society was incorporated in 1988 with a goal of reaffirming Revelstoke鈥檚 railway history. The society鈥檚 biggest undertaking was the construction of the museum in 1993. It was a grass-roots project that made use of local workers, supplies, and businesses.
Cullen moved to Revelstoke from Calgary for the role during the pandemic. Having amassed experience as a volunteer train historian for many years, Cullen transitioned from his work in the oil field to a railway foundation in California in the late 90s. He stayed in the realm of non-profits and museums until the position in Revelstoke came up.
He expressed his appreciation for being able to lead the museum鈥檚 team for the last four years.
鈥淚 have often said that museums are in the 鈥渇orever鈥� business, because society expects museums to be around forever. Executive directors are relay runners in this 鈥渇orever鈥� relay race 鈥� getting to do a few laps before passing the baton to the next director,鈥� he said.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of what our museum team accomplished in the past four years and our new director will be inheriting a great team.鈥�
Last year, the museum celebrated its 30th anniversary and has racked up an impressive half-million visitors since its opening in 1993.
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