Meet Your Site Manager: Sheila Spalding

Every historic site has a story—and so do the people who care for them. Meet Sheila Spalding, Newbury Site Manager at Historic New England. She has been with the organization for one year (in July!) and manages Dole-Little House, Coffin House, Swett-Illsley House, Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, and Rocky Hill Meeting House. When Sheila isn’t juggling logistics, she enjoys gardening and scouring antique shops for random curiosities. 

Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be a site manager at Historic New England.

I trained as an archivist and built my career working with historic collections and public history. I’ve worked for the City of Boston on the Desegregation-era Records Project, served as Hospital Archivist at Boston Children’s Hospital, and most recently was the museum education coordinator at the Amesbury Carriage Museum. I grew up on Cape Cod and have also lived in Japan and Denmark, where I developed a deep appreciation for how historic sites can connect people to place and culture.

Which parts of your work do you find most rewarding and the most challenging?

I’m now in my first year as a site manager at Historic New England, and I can honestly say no two days are the same! I love it here.

The most rewarding part of my work is planning public programs that bring our sites and their stories to life. I especially enjoy seeing visitors make meaningful connections between these places and our shared history. The challenge, and the excitement, comes from the variety of the role; every day brings new opportunities to problem-solve and think creatively about how we engage our audiences.

When you think about your sites, what is one favorite thing that comes to mind?

What stands out most to me is the people. We have an incredible team of guides and colleagues. Their passion, knowledge, and talent bring these sites to life in meaningful ways. It’s truly inspiring to be part of a group so dedicated to preserving and sharing these stories.

What kinds of experiences do you most enjoy creating for members and visitors?

I most enjoy creating experiences that foster a sense of community and connection. I firmly believe that engaging with history and recognizing our shared humanity, can be grounding and meaningful, especially during challenging times. If visitors leave feeling more connected to each other and to the past, then we’ve done something special.

Are there any new tours, programs, or surprises visitors can look forward to this season?

This season offers something for everyone. At Rocky Hill Meeting House, visitors can enjoy moments of quiet reflection. At Swett-Ilsley House, our Music of a New Nation program bring the “tavern” atmosphere to life with the of the American Revolution. At Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, guests can learn about positive climate action during the Vintage Base Ball Wildflower Cup, or take a tractor ride during one of our Farm Walks. There’s a wide range of experiences to explore.

Do you have a favorite local spot or activity near your sites that you like to recommend to friends or visitors?

One of my favorite local activities is the Newburyport Rail Trail, a scenic three-mile loop around the city that’s easily accessed from the downtown waterfront. Visitors can rent bicycles through Port Bikeshare to explore it. And for a great lunch spot, I always recommend Middle Street Foods.

To learn more about these and other events at Sheila’s sites, visit HistoricNewEngland.org/Events.