Quinn moving on from Montpelier

CULPEPER — Montpelier Foundation President and CEO Michael Quinn is taking his talents up North.

After 12 years at the helm of the nonprofit group that manages President James Madison’s Orange County estate, Quinn on Tuesday announced his resignation to accept a position as president and CEO of the American Revolution Center in Philadelphia.

During Quinn’s tenure, Montpelier was transformed from a salmon-colored 1900s-era mansion formerly inhabited by the duPonts to the stately 1800s brick estate lived in by Madison, first lady Dolley and extended family. The $25 million project, completed in 2008, spanned four years.

“The restoration of Madison’s home would not have happened without the vision, tenacity and persuasiveness of Mike Quinn,” said William Lewis, chairman of the Montpelier Foundation. “After taking the helm of Montpelier, he marshaled the support and funding necessary to transform the mansion into the home of the Father of the Constitution.”

Sean O’Brien, chief operating officer at Montpelier, will continue to oversee operations during the search for a new president.

“Mike’s institutional knowledge is invaluable and his vision and leadership will be missed,” O’Brien said. “We look forward to building on the significant foundation he has established to continue to achieve great milestones in the future.”

Among Quinn’s other achievements was a keen attention to the African-American story at Montpelier, most recently through the construction of timber frames behind the mansion marking the place where the president’s house-slaves lived. Also completed in the last decade was renovation of the cabin of George Gilmore, a freed Montpelier slave who built his own place nearby, and restoration of the 1910 train station at Montpelier as an exhibit on the era of Jim Crowe segregation.

Quinn, in addition, oversaw design and construction of a new visitor center and William duPont Gallery on the grounds of Montpelier, along with a museum shop, café and grand salon.

Quinn considers his work at Montpelier an honor and a privilege.

“The foundation’s accomplishments during this time have transformed Montpelier into a dynamic historic site and meaningful educational institution. It has been gratifying to have helped frame and accomplish this transformation,” he said.

Because of Quinn’s leadership, visitors from all over can experience Montpelier as the place where American democracy was imagined, said past chairman Joe Grills.

“Here they can learn about Madison’s contributions to the Constitution that still affect our lives every day and inspire people around the world,” he said.

Quinn will join the American Revolution Center as its CEO effective April 1. He will oversee all aspects of the development of The Museum of the American Revolution, to be built in Philadelphia’s historic area, according to a release from that organization.

Champion reports for the Culpeper Star-Exponent.