July 22, 2003
Raleigh City Museum Announces Staff Reorganization

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 22, 2003) - The Raleigh City Museum announces that Jennifer A. Kulikowski, Executive Director, will be reducing her hours as of August 15, 2003. She plans to continue to assist staff and board as needed. The decision reached by both Kulikowski and the Board of Directors was precipitated by the poor economy and downturn in private donations.

"To preserve the staff positions that are more directly dedicated to public-service and programs, this was a necessary step for the museum at this time," Kulikowski said. "We are doing everything we can to continue to provide our excellent programs and services to the community."

The Raleigh City Museum is a private non-profit organization that has as its mission to collect, preserve and interpret artifacts and materials pertaining to Raleigh's history and traditions so people understand and appreciate today's city through a knowledge of the past.

Kulikowski has been Executive Director for the Raleigh City Museum for the past eight years. Under her tenure, the museum has expanded by 20 times its original size, increased annual attendance by 10 times, presented 17 exhibits, and educated more than 70,000 children and adults about the history of Raleigh.

Margie Haywood, museum advisory board member, said, "I've been involved in the museum from the beginning. We've all been very fortunate to have had Jenny Kulikowski's talents and skills to guide the museum."

The museum is touted for its landmark exhibits like Let Us March On: Raleigh's Journey Towards Civil Rights and Businesses That Built Raleigh. Elizabeth Reid Murray, author of Wake: Capital County of North Carolina and museum advisory board member, also praises the museum for its ability to communicate the rich history of the community. "It is astounding how much the small staff has accomplished in terms of presenting important exhibitions and building a growing collection that represents all of Raleigh's history."

Kulikowski has recently co-authored with Kenneth E. Peters, a colleague at the Raleigh City Museum, a book published by Arcadia Publishing called Historic Raleigh. The book chronicles the history of Raleigh by using 200 historic images, and all proceeds go directly to the museum.

"Jenny is an extremely gifted historian, writer and administrator," said Martha H. Waters, Raleigh City Museum Board chair. "She is also absolutely the most unselfish person I've met recently. Phasing out her position was her idea to ensure that the museum can continue to provide direct program services to the public at as high a level as possible. She has my utmost respect."

"I look forward to spending time with my two young daughters," Kulikowski said. "The Raleigh City Museum has an important mission and we can all expect great things from it in the future."

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