It’s a transformative time for The History Project, Boston’s LGBTQ community archives now celebrating its 40th anniversary. This year, The History Project has inaugurated the role of Executive Director, its first full-time staff position.
And stepping into the role is Joan Ilacqua.
Previously, Ilacqua served as cochair of The History Project’s board of directors and as Harvard Medical School’s archivist for diversity and inclusion. She is a member of the New England Archivists’ inclusion and diversity committee, and has a background in advocacy and oral history. She is a graduate of UMass Boston’s Public History master’s program, and earned her BA at the University of Puget Sound, notes The History Project’s press release announcing her appointment.
“I’m honored to be The History Project’s inaugural executive director,” Ilacqua said. “For 40 years, volunteers have documented, preserved, and shared our community’s history. Their efforts and energies will continue to guide us as an organization, I look forward to being a steward of their vision.”
The new position was made possible by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarly Communications Program, funding aimed for “The History Project to expand our work, reach new audiences and build a more solid foundation for our future,” History Project Board Chair Andrew Elder wrote in a letter announcing Ilacqua’s appointment on behalf of the board.
For more on The History Project, go to their website.
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