JULY 22

President and CEO Nancy Parsons Announces Resignation from National Sporting Library: President and CEO Nancy H. Parsons has announced her resignation from the National Sporting Library. Parsons has accepted the position of Deputy Director for Development at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Va. In this capacity, Parsons will manage and lead the development efforts for the museum including Capital Campaign, Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Corporate and Foundation Giving, Annual Fund, and Membership.

Nancy Parsons was named President and CEO of the Library in 2005. During her tenure, new programs were established such as the John H. Daniels Fellowship, a research program that awards stipends and complimentary housing to scholars in residence at the Library. In its first two years, the Fellowship was awarded to 15 scholars, from all over America as well as Ireland, England and France. Another new program is the Public Lecture Series and Annual Symposium, offering a variety of popular lectures and educational opportunities for the public. Visitation and use of the Library has increased significantly as a result of these programs as well as art exhibitions such as “Reflections on a Life with Horses: Paintings by Sir Alfred Munnings from the Paul Mellon Collection at the Yale Center for British Art.” This exhibit was part of a collaboration of over 20 institutions in an international celebration of the centennial of Paul Mellon’s birth. The Library will soon start construction to convert Vine Hill, a historic house located next to the Library, for use as a museum of sporting art. An Exhibit Fund has been established for the National Sporting Museum, scheduled to open in late 2010.

“It has been a privilege to serve the Library during this exciting period in its development. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated Board of Directors, a talented and enthusiastic staff, and so many generous individuals who support the Library financially,” said Parsons. NSL Chairman of the Board, Manuel Johnson, said “The Library looks forward to future involvement with Nancy and the Virginia Museum through collaborative exhibits and programs.”

Parsons will leave the National Sporting Library in late August.