It was a changing of the guard for the Arlington Historical Society on May 11, as David Pearson succeeded Cathy Bonneville Hix as the organization’s president.
And in what amounted to his first act in office, Pearson asked the community to continue its support of the organization.
“Everything we do comes from members and private donations,” he said. “The most important thing is, we need members.”
Hix, who had led the organization for five years, won praise from her successor.
“She’s accomplished a lot,” Pearson said of Hix, promising the membership that “she’s not going anywhere.” (Indeed, Hix will remain on the board of directors.)
Others also weighed in with praise for Hix. “You’ve put up with at lot of, um, stuff,” joked Annette Benbow, one of the bedrock supporters of the organization.
Excepting his years in college and law school, Pearson has been a lifelong Arlington resident, and was first introduced to the Arlington Historical Museum – one of the historic society’s two properties – as a Boy Scout. As an adult, he has served as a docent and docent coordinator at the museum.
An attorney who previously worked as an accountant, Pearson recently retired as a partner and managing director in the legal department of the Carlyle Group. He has served on the historical society’s board of directors for two years.
In brief valedictory remarks preceding the transfer of authority, Hix also focused on the theme of keeping the community engaged with the organization and its mission. “We depend on membership dues and donations . . . to tell Arlington’s stories,” she said.
During Hix’s tenure – about half of which was upended by COVID – the society moved forward on starting renovation of the historical museum, updated its Website and added online options for its meetings, which are now back being held at Marymount University in a hybrid format.
“It’s really terrific,” Hix said of the dual- in-person/online option for meetings, which allows for more participants.
Pearson was part of a slate of nominees, elected unanimously, that also included Sean Dennison as vice president, John Tuohy as treasurer and Sandy Newton as secretary. Elected to join the existing board of directors were Richard Samp, Annette Scherber, Martin Suydam and Peter Vaselopulos.
Stepping down from board service were Tom Dickinson, who previously had served as president, and Tracy Hopkins, who had served as membership chair.
“We are indebted to both,” Hix said.
The historical society also has announced plans for its annual banquet, to be held Sept. 27 with the theme “Preservation Matters.” The keynote speaker will be philanthropist David Rubenstein, who will discuss his efforts funding renovation work at Arlington House.
For information on the organization, see the Website at www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
