The next executive director of the St. Petersburg museum has extensive experience with museums and gardens.
By MARY JANE PARK, Times Staff Writer
Published November 2, 2005
ST. PETERSBURG - Jessica Peeler Ventimiglia will become executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History in 2006, succeeding Will Michaels, who will retire Dec. 31.
Michaels, who took the job in 2003 and oversaw a major renovation and building expansion for the museum, will continue on the board of directors and will lead the education center, archives and speakers bureau.
Ventimiglia, 62, is executive director of Mental Health Community Centers, Sarasota, and has extensive experience with museums and historical estate gardens, having worked at the prestigious Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota and the South Florida Museum in Bradenton.
She and her husband, Vince, have been members of the St. Petersburg Historical Society since 2000 and have supported numerous museum activities. The couple began visiting years ago, even before they moved to Florida, following the St. Louis Cardinals, whose spring training headquarters was in St. Petersburg.
"I've always had an interest in (the museum)," she said. "It's a wonderful resource, and I always thought I'd like to be involved with it. I'm pretty excited about doing this."
Ventimiglia said she hopes to add member incentives and more children's programs, possibly Saturday morning family options and summer educational camps.
Michaels, 63, said his wife, Kathy, plans to retire from the Pinellas County schools in May. She teaches Spanish in the International Baccalaureate program at Palm Harbor University High School.
"Will can stay (at the museum) a hundred million years longer if he wants, but I'm not going to squawk if he wants to spend more time with his family," said Ann Taylor, president of the museum's board of directors.
"It's a very challenging job and very exciting," Michaels said. "It's been a wonderful job, and I've very much enjoyed it."
During his two years there, the museum re-established school tours, secured city money for its operating budget and strengthened its organizational structure. New, permanent exhibits focus on the city's neighborhoods and heritage groups and take a broader view of racial diversity.
