42-Year Employee Of Grundy Foundation Retires

A longtime employee of the Grundy Foundation has retired.

Museum Administrator Donna McCloskey, a Bristol Borough native, stepped down late last year from her job at Grundy Foundation after 42 years.

McCloskey began her career in 1975 working in the Grundy Library, later assisting the executive director in the Grundy Foundation office until her appointment as Grundy Museum Administrator nearly 12 years ago. She is the only employee ever to serve the Foundation’s three areas of operation.

McCloskey is credited with maintaining the relevance of and interpreting the history of the Grundy family and its legacy, updating the Museum’s interpretive plan, adopting best practices across all facets of Museum services and programs, and forging key partnerships to establish the Museum as a vital community partner and to further promote its offerings.

McCloskey was an integral part of the museum’s soaring visitation, the constitution of Margaret’s Garden and other landscaping attractions, and the museum’s 40th and 50th anniversary events.

McCloskey is also a well-known member of the community, helping to form the Garden Club of Bristol Borough and Adams Hollow Creek Community Garden.

Harold Mitchener, a Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation board member, worked closely with McCloskey to create the Bristol History Collection. The collection provided with fifth grade students tours and educational lessons about Bristol’s role in the Industrial revolution.

“Donna always had everything in place for the lesson and did a wonderful job helping with the lesson. We thank her for her many hours helping to make these lessons possible,” Mitchener said.

McCloskey worked with Doug Miller, historic site director at Pennsbury Manor, over her years at the Grundy Foundation.

“I have had the good fortune to work closely with Donna for many years. The museum community and Pennsbury Manor always was better for her efforts in public history. She brought a professionalism, elegance and eloquence to our community and always strived to improve the Grundy Museum and the
community with which she shared the Museum. We want to congratulate her for her excellent work and wish her well in her well-earned retirement,” Miller said.