Catherine Hollowell resigned as curator of the Les Cheneaux Historical Association at the end of August to pursue personal and professional interests. She has been in charge of coordinating activities and operation for the Les Cheneaux Historical and Les Cheneaux Maritime museums since March 2008.

She was hired by the Les Cheneaux Historical Association board of trustees to operate the two museums, consolidating two positions previously held by two curators. She earned a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in public administration from Lake Superior State University in the spring of 2008, and said graduate school is one possibility she's contemplating for the future.

"I'm really saddened to leave because of all the good people I've met," she said. "I'm really proud of all the accomplishments met this year. I was really able to contribute to the museums' reorganization. I feel like I'm leaving them well positioned to move forward."

During her time at the museums, she started a process to better inventory and catalogue the museums' 25 years worth of historical artifacts.

Longtime museum employee and volunteer Mary Hill of Cedarville has been appointed as acting curator of the two museums while the board finds a permanent replacement.

"I've been here off and on through many things, so I sort of know the running of the museum," Ms. Hill said. She said she will miss Mrs. Hollowell because "she's such a vibrant person with a lot of good ideas. The employees all loved her."

Museum board President Richard Smith said the board will advertise for a permanent replacement during the museums' off season with hopes to have the position filled by the time the museum reopens next spring.

"She sent us a letter informing us of her decision" to resign, he said. "Her decision was regretfully honored."