Edward Herrmann, the first executive director of IU’s newly formed Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (IUMAA), announced yesterday he resigned. Herrmann attributed his decision to a lack of confidence in the museum’s mission and vision from the IU Vice President of Research Fred Cate.
“While [Cate] did not share an alternative vision of the Museum’s future, it is clear to me that without his support I can no longer be an effective leader within the institution,” Herrmann stated in an email to IUMAA’s Advisory Board.
The IUMAA is IU's newest museum, which plans to open fall of 2023. The museum plans to exhibit artifacts from the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology and the Mathers Museum of World Cultures collections.
“Once you commit to that, you have to follow through with support to allow it to open and then to maintain the momentum that it builds during that time,” said Eric Sandweiss, professor of history and a member of the IUMAA faculty advisory board.
Sandweiss said the museum affects more than IU.
“It affects Indiana, and really it affects nationally the state of archeological museum curation,” he said. “So, this is really a critical time and it’s important that Indiana University continue to support the museum.”
Professor of history and Native American and Indigenous Studies Liza Black said she was shocked by Herrmann’s resignation. Black, who is also a museum advisory board member, noted the goal is still to get the museum ready for the public.
“I want to show the public a new completely revamped, completely decolonized space, that's done in collaboration with tribes removed from Indiana and tribal citizens still present in Indiana,” Black said. “I want to finish [the project].”
Cate said in a statement to WFIU that he regrets Herrmann’s resignation.
“The university has every confidence in the museum, its future, and its staff, and will be launching a national search to identify a new director as soon as possible,” he said.
This story has been corrected with the proper museum opening date and Herrmann name spelling.
