Director of Historic Museums Matt Davis, at Georgia College & State University, is preparing to say his farewells to the university as of July. Davis has been a cornerstone to the development of GCSU’s three museums and the establishment of the department that preserves them.
“It has been a true pleasure to serve in this role,” said Davis. “The transition is bittersweet, but I feel as if I’ve fulfilled my duties at Georgia College and it is time to pass the baton.”
Davis has been working in connection with the museums at Georgia College since he was an undergraduate student. As a history major, he took on a job as a student interpreter for Georgia’s Old Governor's Mansion in 2000, before it was restored.
“That was prior to the mansion’s restoration, so when they were doing all the lobbying, research, and more to prepare for the restoration I got to have a very hands-on role in it through experiential learning,” said Davis. “That was what ignited my passion for museum work.”
When he graduated in the spring of 2002, Davis was offered the graduate assistantship on the restoration of the mansion. He began his journey to obtain his Master of Arts in Public History and was the first graduate of that program.
“I was very active in working through the restoration as a graduate and when I graduated in the summer of 2004, I had just completed my thesis on another local historic monument, The Brown Stetson-Sanford House,” said Davis.
Following his graduation in 2004, he worked as a museum educator at the mansion, which evolved into his role as curator of the mansion’s collections. In 2012, Davis briefly left his role at GCSU to work at The Hay House in Macon as museum director. He returned to the university in 2013, however, to take over as museum director for Georgia’s Old Governor's Mansion.
“That was the time that the Sallie Ellis Davis House was becoming a part of Georgia College, so that period after my directorship, we finished the restoration of it,” said Davis.
Davis served as director of both museums until 2018 when Andalusia, which was donated to the university in 2017, was added to his jurisdiction. At this time, his department was reorganized to the Department of Historic Museums and Davis’ title evolved to be director over the department.
“Beyond that role, I’ve served in a variety of capacities from teaching in the art and history departments, serving on university committees, serving on the Georgia College Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving on the College of Arts and Sciences advisory board, and more,” said Davis. “I’ve seen Georgia College transition from a commuter school that was in slightly run-down condition to the beauty that we see today. That’s about 24 years of history associated with the college,” added Davis.
In those 24 years, Davis has had 104 students and staff work under him in a variety of capacities related to the museums. He has served as a teacher, mentor, advisor, friend, and director to many.
“I have enjoyed working with the various colleagues, students, and friends I have had over the years and all the good work we have achieved … a great deal has been accomplished during my tenure that positions the museums well for future success,” said Davis.
Executive Director of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, where the Department of Historic Museums is housed, Angela Criscoe added, “Matt has played a vital role in preserving Milledgeville's history, dedicating nearly 20 years of his professional career to its care and enrichment. His passion for history and desire to learn propelled him into roles of increasing responsibility and impact.”
As of July 8, Davis will bid farewell to GCSU and move to Virginia. On July 29, he will take on a new position as the director of the Institutional History Museum at Washington and Lee University. The role is a new position and allows Davis the chance to articulate Washington and Lee’s 275-year history. According to a press release, he will contextualize this history through “related historic sites, galleries, academic resources and creative spaces through dynamic educational curricula and exhibits.”
“I am grateful for Matt's dedicated service in preserving the history of Georgia’s Old Governor's Mansion and the legacy of Andalusia. I also want to acknowledge his exceptional care of the peacocks at Andalusia,” said Criscoe.“Leading a team in caring for live animals while also maintaining buildings, curating exhibitions, implementing educational programs, and offering tours takes a dedicated and passionate person, and that was Matt. It has been a pleasure to work with him and I know he will be successful and dedicated in his next endeavor.”