New Members Join West End Museum Board

This February, The West End Museum’s Board of Directors elected two new members during its Annual Meeting.

Katie Burke is an archivist at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Brookline, where she preserves, processes and digitizes museum collections.  She also participates in interpretive programs through research and writing for that museum’s website and social media.

Burke first volunteered at The West End Museum to conduct oral history interviews with former West End residents and she is now collaborating on the Museum’s upcoming Charlesbank exhibit. She is passionate about the diverse history of the West End.

“I plan to help the Museum continue to collect, preserve, and explore the rich stories of this neighborhood. I hope my experience can help strategize archives collection and management in the long term while ensuring this history is publicly accessible.”

Samantha DiMauro is a graphic design manager at Eataly and has a freelance design business based in Somerville. She works with brands to identify their design goals and plan and launch new brand identities. DiMauro has volunteered at The WEM since early 2021 helping to create the Museum’s new brand identity, which was launched in October. Since then, she’s been working with staff to redesign the Museum’s website.

DiMauro has a special connection to the West End. Her grandmother was born here in 1931 and lived at 23 N. Anderson Street (Tenement E) and at 127 Leverett Street, after her parents purchased the building and ran a butcher shop there.

“I have heard stories from my grandmother about her childhood in the West End my entire life and I am excited to give back to the neighborhood that gave her so much,” DiMauro said. “I look forward to the West End’s history becoming more prevalent as we preserve [it and] prepare for the future!”

In addition to Burke and DiMauro, The West End Museum Board of Directors is comprised of:

Duane Lucia, president; Michael Gropman, vice president; Lois Ascher, secretary; Amanda Valenta, CPA, treasurer; Leland Alexander; Bob Campanella; Bruce Guarino; Chad Kindregan; Bill Kuttner; Andy Matteis; Joe McDonald; Dan McGrath; Tom Palmer; Jane Wilson; and Jim Campano (ex-officio). Richard Hartnett is now director emeritus: he served on the Board from 2011-2022, and will remain on the Board of the Old West End Housing Corporation.