The Greenwich Historical Society Board of Trustees recently announced the appointment of Carol B. Cadou as the organization’s new executive director and CEO, effective Aug. 25. Cadou brings over 30 years of museum management and curatorial experience with historic sites, libraries, archives and fine and decorative arts collections, with prior leadership tenures at The National Society of Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA), Winterthur Museum, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Cadou joins the Historical Society following the retirement of Debra L. Mecky, who over the span of 30 years at the helm as executive director and CEO dramatically advanced the organization’s mission, transformed its site and operations and expanded its reach and audience to become one of America’s foremost regional history museums.
“The search committee and board of trustees are thrilled to welcome Carol Cadou at an exciting and pivotal time of growth for our organization,” said Historical Society Board Chair Catherine Tompkins. “Looking ahead to next year and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence as well as to Greenwich Historical Society’s centennial milestone in 2031, we believe Carol’s leadership will help us fulfill our mission to preserve and interpret Greenwich history to strengthen the community’s connection to our past, to each other and to our future.”
Cadou will lead all operations and initiatives of the nationally accredited museum campus, encompassing a robust year-round schedule of dynamic art and history exhibitions, adult, family and school programs, community partnerships and events. “Carol Cadou, with her extensive experience and enthusiasm, will work closely with the staff and board to sharpen the Historical Society’s vision for the future and further strengthen its position as the sole organization in Greenwich dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the town’s history, and stewardship of the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House,” said Peter Malkin, honorary trustee and member of the search committee.
“At a time when historic buildings and collections are threatened due to lack of funds and American history is receiving less attention in K-12 curricula, Greenwich Historical Society has doubled down on its commitment to historic preservation and education,” said Cadou. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and schools on this critical work.”
Born and raised in Ohio, Cadou holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College. She taught English in Japan before earning an American Arts certification at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and a Master of Arts degree from the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture at the University of Delaware in 1996. She later received an MBA from Ohio University in 2019.
Cadou has authored, edited, or contributed to numerous books on American decorative arts, architecture, and historic preservation.
Greenwich Historical Society was founded in 1931 to preserve and interpret Greenwich history to strengthen the community’s connection to the past, to each other and to the future. The circa 1730 National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House witnessed slavery and the American Revolution and became the site of Connecticut’s first American Impressionist art colony from 1890 to 1920. Its landscape and gardens are restored based on documentation from the site’s Impressionist era. The campus also includes a nationally accredited museum, library and archives, a museum store, café and a community education center. Greenwich Historical Society educates thousands of school children annually and connects visitors to the history of this globally influential community through exhibitions, lectures, programs and events. It receives no town funding and relies on donations and grants to continue its work in education and preservation.
