BJ Dunn Selected as Superintendent of Minute Man National Historical Park

BJ Dunn

NPS

News Release Date: November 30, 2016

Contact: Phil Lupsiewicz, 978-318-7833

PHILADELPHIA, PA - PHILADELPHIA, PA - National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Mike Caldwell announced the selection of BJ Dunn as Minute Man National Historical Park superintendent. Dunn is currently deputy superintendent of Independence National Historical Park, Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Monument, and Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church National Historic Site in Philadelphia and has collaborative responsibility for the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Dunn will begin his new assignment in January and succeeds Nancy Nelson, a 39-year NPS veteran. Nelson began her superintendency at Minute Man National Historical Park in 1993 and plans to retire in early January.

“BJ’s diverse experience in leadership, project management, and partnerships is an excellent fit for Minute Man National Historical Park,” said Northeast Regional Director Mike Caldwell. “Throughout his career, BJ has demonstrated the ability to build bridges to new audiences and follow through with visionary projects - qualities that will be valuable in his new position.”

Dunn began his NPS career in 1983 and has held positions in the divisions of maintenance, interpretation, administration, and management. He has worked at Acadia National Park; Frederick Law Olmsted, Longfellow and John F. Kennedy National Historic Sites; Women’s Rights National Historical Park; and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Historical Park.  

Prior to his arrival at Independence National Historical Park, Dunn served as superintendent at Saint-Gaudens National Historical Site where he led successful efforts with the park’s nonprofit partner to acquire by donation the 48-acre Blow-Me-Down Farm. In 2007, he served as co-executive producer of Augustus Saint-Gaudens: Master of American Sculpture. Dunn also led efforts to produce a large community theatrical performance, Masque of the Golden Bowl, as part of commemorative centennial activities recognizing America’s first pageant in Cornish, NH held in 1905.
More recently in Dunn’s role as deputy superintendent of Independence National Historical Park, he led efforts to coordinate with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to focus the theme of the 2016 Philadelphia Flower Show on America’s National Parks in honor of the NPS Centennial. He also assisted with the newly re-opened Benjamin Franklin Museum, the Independence Hall Tower American Recovery Act preservation project, and the launch of Independence National Historical Park’s first mobile app.

"I am excited to meet and work with the staff and partners of Minute Man National Historical Park said Dunn. “The park resources are amazing and it's great to see how the history is experienced by visitors in different ways. I look forward to actively being part of the Concord, Lexington, and greater Boston metro-west community."

In 2002, Dunn graduated from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Executive Leadership Program. He has a bachelor of science degree in Park Management from Granite State College. He is married to Rich Bennett and enjoys traveling and visiting museums.  He also has an interest in historic preservation, gardening, dogs, and the environment.
 
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