Today the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Meg Clovis and Susan Klusmire co-directors of partnerships and interpretation of Cooper-Molera Adobe, a historic site of the National Trust. Both Clovis and Klusmire bring decades of experience in cultural affairs and historic preservation in Monterey to the re-imagination of this shared use historic site, where they will oversee programming, public engagement and interpretation.

“The National Trust is fortunate to welcome not one but two proven leaders to create a vibrant future for Cooper-Molera,” said Katherine Malone-France, vice president for historic sites of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Meg and Susan’s deep ties to the local community, cultural arts and historic preservation expertise, and passion for Cooper-Molera will serve the site well as we work together with our commercial partners to shape the next chapter in the life of this remarkable place.”

As co-directors of Cooper-Molera, Clovis and Klusmire will have wide-ranging responsibilities for strengthening Cooper-Molera’s place as a vibrant community asset. They will ensure creative and appropriate interpretation of the site’s history, build and maintain partnerships with local entities, create an advisory council, develop volunteers and create joint programming with the businesses on the site, among other duties to ensure the site’s impact and sustainability.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Cooper-Molera team and look forward to transforming the adobe complex into a vital part of the City of Monterey and Monterey County at-large,” Clovis said. “The history of the property and the people who lived there will provide a springboard for exhibitions and programs relevant to today’s visitors.”

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to help create a welcoming atmosphere at this wonderful site at the center of California’s history in historic downtown Monterey,” Klusmire said.

The co-directors have long dedicated themselves to shaping, celebrating and sharing the history and culture of the Monterey community. Clovis served as cultural affairs manager for the Monterey County Parks Department for 36 years. In this role, she oversaw site development, public programming, exhibitions and collections management at the County’s agricultural history museum. In addition, she served as the Monterey County historic preservation officer, staffing the Historic Resources Review Board and the Historical Advisory Commission.

Klusmire has been part of the local cultural community for more than 35 years. She is currently program manager for the partnership, Historic Monterey and is co-curator with Clovis for the Art in the Airport program at Monterey Regional Airport. She spent 20 years as museum and cultural manager for the City of Monterey, before serving as director of the Carmel Art Association for more than eight years.

Clovis and Klusmire will begin their new roles as co-directors on Monday, December 4.

About Cooper-Molera Adobe

Cooper-Molera Adobe is a National Trust Historic Site located in downtown Monterey, Calif. The site represents the layered history of the families who lived in and built Monterey, from its early years as the political and commercial capital of Mexican Alta California, through the development of the State of California. Later, it became known as the center of a region known for both agricultural innovation and historic preservation. The site includes two adjacent adobe homes, an adobe corner store, an adobe warehouse, and a barn complex, all on roughly 2.5 acres surrounded by a historic adobe wall.

Rehabilitation of the site is currently underway to create a “shared use” model for the property that includes an active program of historic interpretation, along with compatible commercial uses appropriate to the historic setting. Cooper-Molera is expected to fully re-open to the public by summer 2018.