Elizabeth Shapiro

Elizabeth Shapiro served as the Interim Director of Culture for the state of Connecticut for nine months before being named permanent Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums in May 2019. In this position, she oversees the operation of the Connecticut Office of the Arts and the State Historic Preservation Office. In her permanent position as Director of Operations, Museums and Historic Preservation, she is responsible for the strategic visioning, management and operations of four historic sites and museums operated by the DECD. They include the Henry Whitfield State Museum (Guilford), the Prudence Crandall Museum (Canterbury), the Eric Sloane Museum (Kent) and Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine (East Granby.) In addition, she supports the everyday operations of the State Historic Preservation office and is the liaison to the state Historic Preservation Council. Prior to her position with the state, Shapiro spent six years as the Executive Director of the Connecticut League of History Organizations, the professional networking and support organization for volunteers and professionals working in public history in Connecticut. Shapiro served as Executive Director of The Sharon (CT) Historical Society for twenty years and has worked as a consultant to nonprofit organizations in the areas of governance and strategic planning. Shapiro attended Haverford College and received a master’s degree in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program. 

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