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OLD LYME — Joshua Torrance, a museum executive director with more than 22 years of experience, will lead the Florence Griswold Museum beginning on Feb. 6.
The trustees of the museum announced Tuesday that Torrance was chosen after a nationwide search conducted by the recruitment firm Museum Search & Reference. Former director Rebekah Beaulieu left the museum in August to become the President and CEO of the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Torrance was most recently the executive director of the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield where he oversaw the opening of the facility’s 9,300 square foot education and visitor center, according to a release.
He has also led two other historic museums: the Bennington Museum in Vermont and, for nearly 20 years, the Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park in Ellsworth, Maine.
“Joshua understands what the FloGris needs to do to achieve its plans and has the tools to lead us there,” said Kay Knight Clarke, chair of the Museum’s search committee, in a release.
Torrance is a native of Ohio and earned a B.A. in history from Elmira College, an. M.A. in history with a public history concentration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in history studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program.
“I am honored that the search committee and board have placed their trust in me. The Florence Griswold Museum has a stellar reputation and an outstanding team. I am eager to continue the great progress that has been made over the years and help to advance the Museum’s next chapter,” said Torrance.
Torrance and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Sophia, 17, and Noah, 16. He is also a competitive runner and has completed 46 marathons and ultramarathons, including the 2022 Boston Marathon. According to his bio, he is passionate about American material culture and is an avid collector of Inuit art.
Deborah Moore, chair of the Board of Trustees, thanked Clarke and the search committee for moving the process along to a quick completion.
“On behalf of the board and staff, we are delighted to welcome Joshua. His commitment to community-centered projects aligns perfectly with our strategic plan,” she said.