Allison Hinman (Source: The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House)
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House has announced the appointment of Allison Hinman as its new President and CEO, marking a leadership transition shaped by continuity, institutional knowledge, and a long personal connection to the legacy of Susan B. Anthony. Hinman steps into the role after years of experience within historic house museums and following close mentorship under longtime President and CEO Deborah L. Hughes.
According to Hinman, her relationship with the Museum & House began well before her professional career. “Susan B. Anthony was the subject of my first research project as a fourth-grade student, an experience that stayed with me through my academic path,” she says. That early interest later brought her to the Museum as an intern in 2014 while completing a master’s degree in museum studies, an opportunity she explains as formative in shaping how she understands public history and community-based programming.
Hinman notes that her internship experience reshaped her understanding of how museums can function as active spaces for dialogue rather than static repositories. From her perspective, working directly with visitors and educators revealed the importance of designing programs alongside communities rather than solely for them. That philosophy, she explains, has continued to influence her approach to museum leadership.
Before returning to the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House in a full-time leadership role, Hinman built experience across several historic and cultural institutions. She began her museum career at the Seward House Museum in Auburn, New York, where she advanced from intern to director of development. In January 2021, she joined the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House as Deputy Director, before moving into the Chief Operating Officer role, a position she held leading up to her appointment as President and CEO.
Hinman has spoken openly about the responsibility of following Hughes, who led the institution for more than 18 years. From her perspective, that transition reflects both continuity and trust built over years of collaboration. She has emphasized that Hughes’ mentorship played a central role in preparing her to step into the position, explaining the opportunity as an honor rooted in shared commitment to the Museum’s mission.
Looking ahead, Hinman has identified expanded access as a key priority. She explains that the Museum is in the process of planning a new facility designed to increase visitor capacity and broaden how stories are presented. Currently limited to approximately 35 visitors at a time, the Museum expects that the new exhibition space will eventually accommodate more than 100 visitors, allowing for expanded programming and interpretation.
From Hinman’s perspective, accessibility extends beyond physical space. She highlighted recent efforts to integrate emerging technologies that support inclusive visitor experiences, including tools designed to provide on-demand access to American Sign Language interpretation during tours. She explains that these initiatives are intended to make the Museum more welcoming both in person and virtually.
Hinman has also pointed to the institution’s internship program as a critical component of its future. Drawing from her own experience, she notes that the program often introduces students to museum careers they may not have previously considered, while also bringing new perspectives and skills into the organization. She explains that encouraging young people to take ownership and stewardship of history remains central to the Museum’s educational role.
Reflecting on the broader significance of the institution, Hinman emphasized that museums play an increasingly important role in helping the public engage critically with history. She notes that women’s history, in particular, continues to evolve as new research and interpretations emerge. “Women’s history is just now being written,” she says. “Many of the issues addressed by the women’s movement in the 19th and early 20th centuries remain unresolved today.”
As President and CEO, Hinman explains that her goal is to ensure the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House remains a place where historical inquiry connects past movements to present-day questions, offering visitors the opportunity to reflect, learn, and draw their own connections across time.
Media Contact
Name: Michael Flatt
Email: pr@susanb.org
Published by: Pathos Communications Ltd