Iowa man to manage Fort Meigs

3/18/2005

Fort Meigs in Perrysburg will have a new site manager beginning next month.

The Ohio Historical Society, which oversees Fort Meigs, has hired Richard Finch as site manager. Mr. Finch, a museum consultant in West Des Moines, Iowa, starts the his job April 11.

Mr. Finch, a Michigan native, has a master's degree in historic preservation from Eastern Michigan University. For several years, he was director of historical interpretation for Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, where he supervised more than 50 employees, directed the creation of educational programs, and participated in fund-raising efforts.

Mr. Finch was chosen from more than 60 applicants, officials said. He will be paid an annual salary of about $43,000.

Mr. Finch replaces Larry Nelson, who retired in August after 24 years as site manager at Fort Meigs. Adam Sakel, the site's education specialist, has served as interim site manager.

Fort Meigs is the site of two significant battles in the War of 1812. The fort reopened in 2003 after a two-year, $6.2 million restoration and construction of a museum and education center.

More than 22,500 people visited Fort Meigs last year, the historical society said.