Mr. Wright Andrews, president of the Essex County Museum & Historical Society, announces, “We are delighted to have Tim Manley join us as our first full-time Executive Director. He has the skills and love of history that we need to continue and expand the ECMHS’s efforts to preserve Essex County’s rich history and to educate and excite residents and visitors about this wonderful history.”
Having spent most of his career working in tourism and hospitality, Mr. Manley provides a wealth of knowledge in events management and the operations necessary for historical venues. He graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in history and went to work as a professional tour guide in Charleston’s historic district where he eventually became general manager for Classic Carriage Works. Among other projects, he researched and implemented a tour focused on the city’s African Heritage, a first in the carriage industry, and also achieved the best safety and animal care records during his time as GM.
He then worked at Zero George Hotel, followed by the famous Wentworth Mansion, a 19th-century home that was converted into a luxury hotel that was recently named one of the 100 best hotels in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine. He then started his own walking tour company for tourists focused on Charleston’s historic district and museums which he managed for several years.
The Museum has established lofty and exciting goals for the upcoming decade—-the Courtyard has already proven to be a wonderful gathering place for the community, and the rotating exhibits present new and unusual insight into the area’s history; from sea life to Captain John Smith first stepping onto the shores of the Rappahannock, to Colonial life and to more recent events including the Book Club, children’s tours and a visit with Santa, upcoming exhibits, and lectures by local authors and musicians.
