Bonanzaville interviewed one job candidate for its vacant executive director position and will interview another Saturday.
The local museum and historical village's top spot has been empty since Tim Hoheisel resigned in April to work on his dissertation. He was director for a little more than a year.
Twelve people applied for the opening, said Kim Baird, president of the Cass County Historical Society. Board members secured interviews with two candidates.
Bruce Whitmarsh, associate director of the Woodlawn and Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Va., met with the historical society on June 24.
Charlene Akers, director of the Scurry County Museum in Snyder, Texas, will be at Bonanzaville on Saturday.
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Both candidates would be a good fit for the job, Baird told other board members last week.
"I think the positive thing is that we have two good candidates," she said.
The director search comes at a time when leaders of the sprawling complex are striving to turn Bonanzaville into a more professional museum on a shoestring budget.
For example, its 2006 budget of about $307,000 did not include money for new exhibits or collections maintenance.
Baird used her own frequent-flyer miles to cover Whitmarsh's ticket to Fargo. Board member Mark Sinner donated miles from his business to fly in Akers, who will stay overnight at Baird's house, Baird said.
Gwen Peterson, who was hired last year as the complex's first curator in years, hasn't yet met Akers. She said she was impressed by Whitmarsh.
"What I know of him, I think he would be able to bring the museum to that next level of professionalism," Peterson said.
The ideal director has charisma, extensive museum knowledge and good management skills, she said.
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"If she's as good as her reputation," Peterson said of Akers, "I hope one of them will take the job."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Andrea Domaskin at (701) 241-5556
