L.C. Bates Museum Director Retires
Deborah Staber, director of the L.C. Bates Museum at Good Will Hinckley, retired as of June 30, 2024. In presenting her the Good Will-Hinckley Legacy Life Changer Award, GWH president and executive director Gary Dugal stated, “It is with deep admiration, immense gratitude, and profound appreciation for your 32 years of faithful and dedicated service to the mission of Good Will-Hinckley, that we humbly say thank you.”
He continued, “Your fierce passion and tireless efforts in educating our youth and the greater community have not gone unnoticed. Countless youth have been exposed to the wonders of our cabinet of curiosities under your watch. Your legacy at the L.C. Bates Museum has left the indelible mark of the helping hand in the fabric of Good Will-Hinckley and will continue to educate youth and families for years to come.”
The L.C. Bates Museum, an early 20th-century natural history and cultural museum in Hinckley, Maine, is located on the campus of Good Will-Hinckley. It was founded circa 1889 by George Walter Hinckley (1853 — 1950) as part of the Good Will Home, a pioneering residential and educational institution for underprivileged children.
Hinckley started the collection with just a few rocks, but from those humble beginnings, the selection of wonders from the natural world grew to encompass dozens of preserved mammals, birds, and fish, including a marlin caught by Ernest Hemingway. The collection eventually outgrew its home, and in 1920 it was moved to its current home thanks to the funding of Lewis Carlton Bates, after whom the museum is now named.
Throughout her tenure, Staber has managed every aspect of the museum’s operation, from administration and publicity to exhibitions and educational programming. She has skillfully coordinated volunteers and managed museum grants, herself securing significant support from prestigious organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Maine Humanities Council.
Staber’s leadership and passion have been instrumental in sustaining the museum on a modest budget, making it a cherished cornerstone of the Good Will-Hinckley campus. Her efforts have ensured that the museum remains a vibrant window into the past, delighting visitors with its eclectic collection.
Lyndell Bade, a museum educator who has worked alongside Staber since 2022, took over as director on July 1, 2024. Dugal stated, “We are confident that Bade will continue Staber’s legacy of excellence and dedication to the museum’s mission.”
The L.C. Bates Museum, at 14 Easler Road, Hinckley, Maine is open from April to mid-November, Wednesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To learn more, visit its websites here and here.
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