With a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for history, Kent Whitworth was named director and CEO of the Minnesota Historical Society in 2018. Kent intentionally built a well-rounded and passionate leadership team. Under the guidance of Kent and the leadership team, MNHS successfully completed several important and impactful projects.
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MNHS underwent a two-year strategic planning process that defined a vision, mission, and strategic imperatives to share Minnesota’s history and reach new generations of Minnesotans. Kent is a champion of the strategic plan and continues to oversee its implementation.
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Historic Fort Snelling completed a two-year rehabilitation and revitalization project. Working in partnership with dozens of organizations and countless community members across the state of Minnesota, new programming and interpretation helps share the multiple overlapping and interlocking histories of this National Historic Landmark.
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MNHS received reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, whose commission commended MNHS, calling the organization a “model institution in many ways.”
Before joining MNHS, Kent served as the executive director of the Kentucky Historical Society, based in Frankfort, Kentucky. Prior to that, Kent served as executive director for the East Tennessee Historical Society and the Blount Mansion Association in Knoxville. He also held the role of director of marketing and college relations at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Kent has an M.A. in History with an emphasis in Historic Preservation from Middle Tennessee State University and a B.A. in History from Asbury University.