STORY BY STEPHEN PIERCE
• PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG LIGHT ond day of that search, a friend sent me the Hildene posting.
As I explored the role— reading the position description, speaking with the search firm and trusted colleagues, and even visiting the property quietly on my own— it became clear that my experience aligned closely with Hildene’ s needs. The board and staff were seeking someone who could engage deeply with questions of mission and market, chart a clear path forward, and then help the organization move decisively in that direction. That is precisely the work I’ ve been doing for decades.
Stephen: What have you been up to now that you’ ve been at Hildene since December?
Craig: First and foremost, I’ ve been getting to know the staff— and what a remarkable group they are: talented, dedicated, welcoming, and genuinely kind.
At the same time, we’ ve been preparing for the 2026 season, which is now underway. In doing so, we’ ve developed a number of exciting new programs, and we’ re confident that both local residents and visitors will find a great deal to enjoy. I’ ve also spent considerable time understanding Hildene’ s extraordinary physical assets. There is a tremendous amount here to steward— from the beauty and complexity of the house itself to the vibrant farm in the dene below. Each requires thoughtful care and attention.
Equally important are what I think of as Hildene’ s“ metaphysical” assets: the enduring presence of the Lincoln family, whose stories still resonate throughout the property, and the legacy of the Friends of Hildene, whose vision and determination preserved this place in the 1970s. Honoring and amplifying those stories is essential.
Stephen: Could you outline a few of the ways you hope to achieve this goal?
Craig: Absolutely.
We need to offer programs that draw visitors from both near and far throughout the year. That includes strengthening what we already do well— in the home of Robert and Mary Lincoln, in our youth education programs, and at the farm— while also fully activating our newest space, Lincoln Hall.
This spring, we’ ll announce a lineup of nationally recognized speakers who will explore civil discourse as part of America’ s 250th anniversary— a timely theme given the polarization in our public life. We’ re also expanding our musical offerings, with performances both in the historic home and in Lincoln Hall, and creating memorable farm-to-table experiences featuring food grown on-site and prepared by our chef, Nick Disorda. All these efforts are designed not just to attract visitors, but to create meaningful, mission-driven experiences.
Stephen: I see you had an event in Lincoln Hall honoring documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.
Craig: Yes, we’ re thrilled about that. Ken Burns received the Lincoln Forum Film Award for his landmark documentary on the Civil War. The ceremony took place as part of the broader Lincoln Forum, a gathering of leading Lincoln scholars here in Manchester and at Hildene in early May. It was an engaging and enriching weekend.
Stephen: All of this clearly reflects your background in education. How did your years at Brewster Academy and Groton shape you as a leader?
Craig: I learned early on that leading a school is fundamentally about building a strong culture, ensuring excellence in the present, and developing a clear, forward-looking vision— then sustaining that growth over time.
It didn’ t take long for me to see that Hildene functions, in many ways, like a school. Visitors come here to learn— about history, agriculture, the natural world, and more— and our staff are, in effect, exceptional teachers. That realization made it natural for me to draw on my experience in education as I think about how to strengthen Hildene’ s culture and guide its future development.
Ultimately, my role is to ensure that Hildene continues to act with increasing clarity and strength in service of its mission.
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