Plimoth Plantation cuts veteran staff
PLYMOUTH - Layoffs blamed on declining admissions and an expected downturn in the tourism industry have decimated the managerial ranks at Plimoth Plantation.
The living history museum announced the layoffs of eight veteran employees after the Plantation closed for the winter earlier this week. A ninth employee opted into the reduction in force as the layoffs unfolded. The reorganization consolidates most of managerial duties under four positions. Two are newly created managerial positions. The museum’s Board of Trustees approved the reorganization at its November meeting.
Director John McDonagh said the layoffs result from a need to reduce the museum’s operating budget by 10 percent and reflects the museum’s commitment to maintaining a powerful, interactive experience for visitors. The eight workers are responsible for much of the content of museum programs and exhibits, but generally have limited interaction with the public.
McDonagh would not name the eight people who lost jobs but did identify their positions. They are: the program manager of the Colonial Interpretation Department, the curator of historical technologies, the associate director for historic landscapes, the associate director for facilities, the curator of museum reproductions, the manager of Colonial wardrobe and textiles, the Colonial foodways manager, the director of museum programs and the administrative assistant for programs.
An employee who spoke on condition of anonymity said the layoffs amount to “a complete decapitation of the program division.” The nine workers represent more than 200 years of combined service to the museum. One of the managers, alone, had been with the Plantation since 1979.
McDonagh acknowledged there is no denying the loss of intellectual capital.
“They provided great service for many years, and we’re grateful and respect the work they gave us,” McDonagh said.
“Many were long-serving professionals here who had risen to management roles. Principally, they have, over the years, brought great value to the mission and our program. We had to look at that layer, that level, because we wanted to protect and preserve of our front line interpreters as much as possible because that’s where the magic happens for visitors,” McDonagh said....
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The living history museum announced the layoffs of eight veteran employees after the Plantation closed for the winter earlier this week. A ninth employee opted into the reduction in force as the layoffs unfolded. The reorganization consolidates most of managerial duties under four positions. Two are newly created managerial positions. The museum’s Board of Trustees approved the reorganization at its November meeting.
Director John McDonagh said the layoffs result from a need to reduce the museum’s operating budget by 10 percent and reflects the museum’s commitment to maintaining a powerful, interactive experience for visitors. The eight workers are responsible for much of the content of museum programs and exhibits, but generally have limited interaction with the public.
McDonagh would not name the eight people who lost jobs but did identify their positions. They are: the program manager of the Colonial Interpretation Department, the curator of historical technologies, the associate director for historic landscapes, the associate director for facilities, the curator of museum reproductions, the manager of Colonial wardrobe and textiles, the Colonial foodways manager, the director of museum programs and the administrative assistant for programs.
An employee who spoke on condition of anonymity said the layoffs amount to “a complete decapitation of the program division.” The nine workers represent more than 200 years of combined service to the museum. One of the managers, alone, had been with the Plantation since 1979.
McDonagh acknowledged there is no denying the loss of intellectual capital.
“They provided great service for many years, and we’re grateful and respect the work they gave us,” McDonagh said.
“Many were long-serving professionals here who had risen to management roles. Principally, they have, over the years, brought great value to the mission and our program. We had to look at that layer, that level, because we wanted to protect and preserve of our front line interpreters as much as possible because that’s where the magic happens for visitors,” McDonagh said....