GC alumni awarded “Professional of the Year”

Matt Davis, curator of the Old Governor’s Mansion, was recently named the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries’ “Professional of the Year.”

Kelsey Garrison

Davis refers to the mansion as an “expensive mistress.”

His love for both history and the mansion began almost a decade ago when he worked as a tour guide during his undergraduate years at Georgia College.

After completing his undergraduate degree in 2002, Davis continued his education at Georgia College and in 2004 graduated with a master’s in public history.

“The education I received at Georgia College thoroughly prepared me,” Davis said. “I owe everything to Georgia College: my achievements, my training and most importantly my career. I am a proud Bobcat.”

Now 10 years later, Davis continues to promote the mansion and its mission through supervision of tours, collections and programming. Student tour guides are employed by the museum for practical experience in their field.

Davis administers an intensive month-long training program for all tour guides, who are known as docents.

“Docents are not just tour guides, they are trained to know everything about the mansion,” Davis said.

Docent Melissa Harrell, a junior history major, said Davis is a good boss.

“He is strict,” Harrell said, “but always willing to help out in any way. He is incredibly deserving of this award. The perfection he strives for is outstanding.”

Almost six years ago, the mansion underwent an extensive $9.5 million restoration to restore it to its circa-1851 appearance. Since the restoration, the mansion has appeared in Southern Living magazine and been featured on the History Channel.

“We are receiving not only campus recognition, but national recognition,” Davis said. “The Old Governor’s Mansion is one of the most accurately restored buildings in the southeast if not the nation.”

More than 5,000 visitors a year tour the mansion, but Davis is determined to increase the mansion’s notoriety.

Davis is working closely with Georgia College’s mass communication students and Mass Communication Professor Amanda Respess to create an advertising plan.

“Davis’ curatorial knowledge extends beyond the walls of the Old Governor’s Mansion and makes Matt a tremendous resource for museums and preservation groups throughout our state,” Respess said. “The Georgia College community should be very proud of Matt as an employee and an alumnus.”

Posted by Cate Callahan on Feb 2 2012. Filed under Slideshows. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.