Berkshire Museum Board of Trustees Elects New President

PITTSFIELD — The gavel was passed to a new president at the annual meeting of the Berkshire Museum’s board of trustees. Elizabeth Hayes McGraw is taking the reins as president; she has been a trustee since 2008 and has served as vice-president since 2013. William Hines Jr. will resume his role as a trustee after serving as president for 5 years; he joined the board in 2007.

“There are great things happening at the Berkshire Museum, and I am honored to step up and lead the board as we continue with our strategic master-planning process,” said McGraw. “The master plan is an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the way the museum fulfills its mission and serves the wider Berkshire Community, and it is a privilege to participate in this very important transformation. Bill Hines has done a magnificent job initiating the planning process. Those of us on the board are so grateful for all he has done for the museum.”

During his tenure as president of the board, in addition to overseeing the launch of the master planning process, Hines was instrumental in working with the board and staff to achieve significant improvements to the museum, including new architectural access for museum visitors made possible by the installation of a passenger-operated elevator, and upgrades to its energy and fire safety systems. During the same time period, the Museum was named a Smithsonian Affiliate and was able to widely expand its educational programs, serving record numbers of students each successive year.

McGraw has more than 20 years of experience as a science educator. She taught biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physical science at Berkshire School, headed the high school’s science department at Berkshire Country Day School, and taught biology at Miss Hall’s School. She is currently working with students at Indian Mountain School and Salisbury School. She also held education positions with the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y., and Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.

With a shared commitment to serving the community, McGraw and her husband, Robin, administer the Black Rock Foundation, which supports education and healthcare programs in the Berkshires. She holds a master’s degree in forest science from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in studio art from Hamilton College.