CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Professor Darren Baker has been chosen by the Board of Trustees of the Ross County Historical Society as the new executive director. This decision comes as Tom Kuhn, the current executive director, is retiring after 30 years of service. Professor Baker, a native of southern Ohio, resides on a farm located at the boundary of Ross and Pike counties. He and his wife Carma have three children, aged 15 to 26, and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first grandchild this autumn.
Aside from his personal life, Professor Baker possesses a broad range of interests, including fine woodworking, vineyards, historical farming, graphic design, photography, and the history of printing. He has an extensive professional background, having previously served as a Professor of Art at Ohio University and Shawnee State University. Additionally, he held the position of Director of Visual Arts at the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth, Ohio. Recently, he played a vital role in establishing and managing the Don E. Adleta TypeShop and Bindery at Ohio University, as well as contributing to the establishment of The Printing Stewards, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and revival of historical type casting and printing equipment.
Given his diverse professional experience and wide range of personal interests, Professor Baker is well-suited for his new role, which entails a variety of duties and responsibilities. Dana Martinko, the president of the historical society, expressed enthusiasm for Professor Baker’s leadership and the fresh perspective he will bring to the organization. Martinko encourages everyone to have the opportunity to meet and extend a warm welcome to Professor Baker within the community.
