Jeffrey Buchheit, a former assistant director of the American Association of Museums, has begun work as director of the Baltimore City Heritage Area, an arm of the mayor's office that promotes the city's cultural heritage.
He replaced Bill Pencek, a preservation expert who left last year to join the state government.
Buchheit, 39, has 15 years of experience in museums, including administration, governance, exhibit design, volunteer management and collections management. Before joining the museum association in 2000, he was executive director of the Historical Electronics Museum in Baltimore. He also served as president of the Small Museum Association for two years, and he currently serves as president of the board of directors for the Cylburn Arboretum Association in Baltimore.
"The city is moving in an exciting direction with regard to our Heritage Area," Mayor Sheila Dixon said in appointing Buchheit to the job. "I am confident that Jeffrey will lead us into this new era with great enthusiasm and ability."
A resident of Original Northwood, Buchheit said two of his top priorities for 2008 are planning for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, including the 1814 Battle of Baltimore, and promoting legislation that will make the Baltimore City Heritage Area a National Heritage Area.
As part of its operation, the heritage office awards grants to local attractions and organizations to fund capital improvements. In 2007, awards included $5,000 to the Baltimore Maritime Museum to repair and restore the deck stripping on the USS Torsk, docked in the Inner Harbor; $9,000 to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum for the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Leonard J. Buxton - Lounge Cafe car; and $8,000 to the Baltimore Museum of Industry to repair its entrance and prepare an area for a new orientation exhibit.
Also, $5,000 to the Great Blacks in Wax Museum for roof repairs; $9,000 to the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park to reconstruct parts of its marine railway apparatus; $5,000 to the St. James Development Corp. to renovate and restore a property on West Lafayette Avenue for use as its corporation headquarters; and $9,000 to the USS Constellation Foundation to repair damage caused by water intrusion and rot in the upper levels of the hull.
All of the money must be matched with private funds before it can be spent.
Landmark hearings
