Onward!
On May 21, 2021, President & CEO Philip Zea will retire after nearly four decades of dedicated service to Historic Deerfield.
Phil has led Historic Deerfield since 2003. He also served Historic Deerfield for 18 years earlier in his career, from 1981 to 1999, concluding as Deputy Director and Chief Curator.
“Historic Deerfield, as an institution, has flourished under Philip Zea’s leadership. Phil has been a superb President and CEO and as he begins his long-planned and much-deserved retirement, he leaves Historic Deerfield at a high point in its history. We are deeply appreciative to Phil for his many contributions and his extraordinary leadership of Historic Deerfield over a significant period of time. We thank Phil for everything he has done to promote and develop our beloved institution and we remind him that he will always be a part of the Historic Deerfield family.”
Joseph P. Gromacki,
Chair, Historic Deerfield Board of Trustees
Historic Deerfield welcomes donations in honor of Phil Zea and his many important accomplishments. Individuals who wish to make a donation are encouraged to support one of the projects listed below.
For more information, contact Jesse Vanek, Director of Development, by email at jvanek@historic-deerfield.org or by phone at (413) 775-7177.
Contributions may also be mailed to:
Development Office
Historic Deerfield
PO Box 321
Deerfield, MA 01342
Revealing the Culture of Conflict: Engraved Powder Horns from the French and Indian War and the American Revolution
Upon retiring as President & CEO, Phil will return to his curatorial roots and embark on a multi-year project to research this uniquely American art form. His scholarship will culminate in the development of a major publication and traveling exhibit that will serve as Historic Deerfield’s entry in celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.
Read the press release, or click here for more details about this important project.
Preserve the North Meadows
Help Historic Deerfield and the Franklin Land Trust accomplish the definitive protection of the immediate Old Deerfield view shed. Both groups and their supporters set this goal over forty years ago when the integrity of this cherished landscape first became threatened by suburbanization and development.
Your support will help to safeguard the future of Deerfield and some of the best agricultural soils along the East Coast.
Deerfield Collectors Guild
The Guild is committed to Historic Deerfield’s acquisition of significant objects of art, culture, and history made or owned from the 17th to the early 20th century in Old Deerfield. Your support will help the museum secure important Deerfield objects (like the Stebbins clock!) that might otherwise escape preservation.
Note: Donors who make contributions of $500 or more are recognized as full members of the Deerfield Collectors Guild and receive exclusive updates and invitations to participate in special Guild-related events and activities.
Wherever it is needed most…
While the projects above are near-and-dear to Phil’s heart, Historic Deerfield also welcomes unrestricted contributions that support critical museum operations.
Your support helps to ensure that Deerfield remains a vibrant and important cultural treasure for all to learn from and enjoy.
