Snap Shot
Craig Gemmell
Beyond the House Museum
New President Craig Gemmell hopes to transform Hildene into a deeper, more dynamic force in the cultural life of Manchester and Southern Vermont.
When Craig Gemmell arrived last December as the new president of Hildene, he brought decades of experience in education, fundraising, and institution-building— along with a clear conviction: the Lincoln Family Home can become an even more powerful force in the educational and cultural life of Manchester and Southern Vermont.
For the past decade, Gemmell served as Head of School and then President at Brewster Academy, following 21 years as a teacher and administrator at Groton School. Now living in Rupert, VT with his family, he steps into leadership at a moment when Hildene is poised to expand both its reach and its relevance. I spoke with Gemmell about what drew him to Hildene, how his background in education has shaped his leadership, and why he believes the institution can play a larger role in the region.
Stephen: After working in independent schools for over 30 years, what attracted you to the post at Hildene?
Craig: Over the past few years, as I approached 60, I began thinking carefully about how I wanted to spend the final chapter of my professional life. The criteria I developed were fairly simple: I wanted to live full time in Southern Vermont after decades of coming and going; I hoped to remain connected to education, but was also open to working outside of a traditional school setting if I could make a meaningful contribution to the community; and I wanted to work alongside talented, mission-driven people.
Stephen: And Hildene became that opportunity?
Craig: Yes— it truly felt serendipitous. Early last summer, after wrapping up ten demanding years at Brewster, I committed to taking the time needed to find the right next step. Remarkably, on the sec-
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