The Garst Museum’s Director Retires

Penny Perry & Board President John Marchal

The Garst Museum’s Board of Directors wishes to publicly thank and honor its retiring executive director, Penny Perry, for her six years of leadership. Penny will retire from the museum at the end of December.

Under her guidance the museum has made great strides with attendance reaching 10,000 visitors a year. Several important programs were developed. Penny started an educational program for fourth grade students in Darke County. The program is very popular with the schools and has now grown to include students from Mercer and Miami counties. In addition to being offered to Darke County students at no charge, the program is aligned with Ohio’s fourth grade curriculum standards. With the success of student education programs, Penny next started an adult lecture series that entertains as well as educates its guests. Another important program Penny has developed at the Garst Museum is the docent program. Under this program, volunteer guides are trained to explain the museum exhibits to students and guests.

Penny, who is a 1960 Greenville High School graduate, went to Bowling Green State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history. She then went to Arizona State University where she received a master’s degree in history. She spent most of her career years as an English and Social Studies teacher. She taught at Greenville Junior High and Franklin Monroe High School. She retired from teaching in 1996.

The Board of Directors of the Garst Museum extends its best wishes and many thanks for Penny Perry’s years of gracious service to the museum. The board honored Penny with a reception at its Board Meeting on December 21, 2010.