Preservation Long Island Announces Appointment of Jackie Powers as New Exec Director

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Preservation Long Island Announces New Executive Director

Jackie Powers

Jackie Powers, a Glen Cove resident and former senior advisor with the American Museum of Natural History, will join the Cold Spring Harbor-based regional historic preservation advocacy nonprofit in early December 2024.

Cold Spring Harbor, NY—Preservation Long Island, the Cold Spring Harbor-based regional historic preservation advocacy nonprofit, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jackie Powers as its new executive director, effective December 2, 2024. Powers, a resident of Glen Cove and former senior advisor with the American Museum of Natural History, will bring her extensive experience in museum and educational leadership to Long Island’s only regional not-for-profit organization dedicated to historic preservation.

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“Jackie brings a wealth of professional experience from her two decades in senior roles at the American Museum of Natural History,” said Michelle Elliott Gokey, president of Preservation Long Island’s board of trustees. “We are excited about Jackie’s passion for our mission and look forward to working closely with her, along with our members and partners, to advance historic preservation throughout the region. As our 76-year-old organization embarks on a new phase of growth, Jackie’s leadership will be key to enhancing our impact.”

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Powers expressed her enthusiasm for joining the organization, saying, “Preserving Long Island’s architectural history and cultural heritage—through stewardship, education, and advocacy—is a mission that resonates deeply with me. My career at the American Museum of Natural History has focused on similar educational goals: interpreting and sharing knowledge about human cultures and the natural world.” She added, “This opportunity is especially meaningful, as I spent much of my youth on both the North Shore, where I now live, and the South Shore, as well as in Brooklyn. Long Island’s architectural history is a vibrant mosaic of communities from around the world. Engaging with these diverse cultures will be essential to expanding Preservation Long Island’s reach and relevance for future generations.”

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Powers succeeds Alexandra Parsons Wolfe, who retired last June, becoming the eighth executive director to lead Preservation Long Island, formerly known as the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities.

Preservation Long Island

Headquartered in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, Preservation Long Island is a not-for-profit organization that works with Long Islanders to preserve Long Island’s diverse cultural and architectural heritage through advocacy, education, and stewardship of historic sites and collections. With a mission to raise awareness, appreciation, and support for the celebration of a shared past, program areas include interpreting historic sites; collecting art and material culture pertaining to Long Island history; creating publications and exhibits; and providing direct support and technical assistance to individuals and groups engaged in local preservation efforts.

http://preservationlongisland.org

Preservation Long Island maintains and interprets historic sites and collections that

embody various aspects of Long Island’s history including:

Joseph Lloyd Manor, Lloyd Harbor http://preservationlongisland.org/joseph-lloyd-manor/

Custom House, Sag Harbor http://preservationlongisland.org/custom-house/

Sherwood-Jayne Farm, Setauket http://preservationlongisland.org/sherwood-jayne-farm/

Old Methodist Church and Exhibition Gallery http://preservationlongisland.org/methodist-church/

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