Ex-city manager to lead museum for now

Former Lawrence City Manager Mike Wildgen now is part-time interim director of Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass.

Wildgen began his job Monday. He will hold the position until the Douglas County Historical Society Board of Directors can find a permanent replacement. Former museum director Rebecca Phipps was dismissed last month.

Wildgen was hired because he brings management expertise and contacts, historical board chairwoman Phyllis Tiffany said.

Tiffany said the board doesn’t know how long it will take to hire a director.

“Money is the issue,” Tiffany said. “To get a really top-flight, experienced person, we’re going to have to look awfully hard at what we can offer them and how hard we can work to raise that kind of money.”