Belle Grove Welcomes New Director Kristen Laise!
Belle Grove Plantation has named Kristen Laise to be its new Executive Director, replacing Elizabeth McClung who retired July 31, 2013 after serving at Belle Grove for nearly 17 years. Ms. Laise, a Winchester resident, comes to Belle Grove after serving as Executive Vice President at Heritage Preservation, a national non-profit organization that assists museums and libraries with the conservation of collections and historic structures. “I believe exemplary care of its collections, buildings, and grounds should continue to be a hallmark of Belle Grove,” Laise said in applying for the position. “Through my work at Heritage Preservation, I have learned that preservation and outreach need not been mutually exclusive—demonstrating Belle Grove’s outstanding care and interpretation of its historic properties and collections has the potential to attract visitors, donors, funders, community partners,” she added. Ms. Laise holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Art History from Earlham College and Masters of Arts in Art History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.