John Allen has officially retired from his position as president of the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. A retirement celebration was held at the museum recently. Allen, who turned 75 this year, is feeling bittersweet after stepping down from the position. He did, however, go on to mention that he is confident that the museum will be in good hands with new president, Laura Dambier, who started on October 1. “I’m quite optimistic this next chapter goes on to newer heights, as it does with any succession that’s done well,” Allen said.

Allen has overseen projects that included complete exhibit upgrades as well cultural programming expansions across the Cape and Islands area. As he begins his retirement, the museum is undergoing more changes and construction, this time to its courtyard. Allen is excited to see how this project extends the lifetime of the museum. “A whole new chapter opens up, a whole capability that the museum brings,” he said.