History museum director takes Heritage Village job

LARGO - Tracy Spikes, who began work March 31 as director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, has accepted a job as curator of education at Heritage Village.

Jan Luth, executive director of Heritage Village, said Spikes will lead an effort to develop and expand educational offerings to school groups, adults and children and families.

The village is introducing a living history program, and Spikes will be a leader in that project, Luth said.

"We're thrilled to be having him join our team," she said. Heritage Village is a 21-acre, open-air historical village and museum run by Pinellas County.

Spikes begins work May 19 and will be paid $40,000 a year.

George Campbell, president of the board of directors of the St. Petersburg Historical Society Inc., which runs the museum, said he was disappointed but praised the work Spikes has done in a month's time.

"He got us up and running," Campbell said. "He has really helped us turn around our exhibit process and our fundraising. He's done a lot. We're better off for having him, and I'll miss him, but we're moving on."

Spikes said the timing of his decision is "a little strange, and it's not something I ever would have thought would happen in pursuing a place to work. This is by no means a reflection of anything but the fact that this is a new career opportunity for me."

Campbell and Luth said Spikes had interviewed for both positions during a period of several months.

"It would be tough for him not to take (the job at Heritage Village)," Campbell said, given that it offers a higher salary and county benefits.

The St. Petersburg museum was without a director for more than six months after Mathias Bergendahl left in September to become a financial adviser at Merrill Lynch. Last Tuesday it opened a new exhibit of Clyde Butcher photographs. It plans a renovation that will add space for exhibits, collections, archival storage and offices.

Spikes praised museum personnel and trustees.

"They're doing hard work trying to prepare things for the expansion and the exhibits and programs they'll be offering here, both during the expansion and after the expansion. I think the board and the staff are really up to that challenge and looking to make things happen in St. Petersburg."

Spikes has worked with the Pensacola Museum of Art and the Swan House mansion at the Atlanta History Center. He was museum manager for the city of St. Augustine and administrator for the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board.

He and his wife, Carol McDuff, live in Clearwater. They have two adult sons.

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