Freedom’s Frontier is delighted to announce the appointment of Lucinda Adams as its new Executive Director. Lucinda’s extensive work in the field of public history and passion for the preservation of our nation’s history make her an excellent fit for the position.

Adams has over 20 years of experience in the field of history and historical preservation. She joins Freedom’s Frontier NHA from the State Historical Society of Missouri where she was Associate Director since 2014. There, Adams led a multiyear strategic plan, managed a 16,000 cubic foot archival collection, and successfully completed a multi-million-dollar capital campaign.

Prior to her work with The State Historical Society of Missouri, Adams served as the National History Day State Coordinator for Missouri, and as a Senior Archivist with Kansas City Library. In these roles, Adams fostered relationships throughout the Kansas City area as an advocate for history, while arranging workshops and archival collections for the public.

Adams has authored nearly a dozen grants that brought in over $2 million in funding for historical efforts. She has been awarded the Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation grant each year from 2014-2022. In addition, Lucinda curated over a dozen different historical exhibits, authored more than twenty publications, and regularly presents historical research and at exhibits.

As Adams begins her new position with FFNHA, her enthusiasm for the heritage area and vision on how to help our partners is evident.

“This is great opportunity to think about our mission and FFNHA’s future,” says Adams. “The earliest FFNHA volunteers envisioned FFNHA to promote  economic development by highlighting our partners and their history to bring tourists to Kansas and Missouri. We will continue to do that.”

Adams is particularly interested in expanding the smart device app that allows tourists to tour our various sites.

“The app provides a quick and easy way to enjoy history when you are taking a road trip, or just heading out for a Sunday drive,” said Adams. “The app lets you easily select the sites around you so you can stop by and learn the local history.”

Adams takes on the role after the death of Jim Ogle who served FFNHA tirelessly for more than 5 years. “I have worked with Jim in the past and I know that he was a beloved member of the historical community. My hope for this new position is not to replace him but instead to preserve the legacy he has left by continuing to cultivate a healthy historical community with our partners.”

Congress designated Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area to work with the National Park Service and local organizations to tell the important freedom stories of this region. Our major themes are the settlement of the frontier, the Border and Civil Wars on the western frontier, and the enduring struggle for freedom. More than 300 museums, historical societies, and heritage sites partner with us in telling these stories. Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area’s boundaries include 3 million people and 30,000 square miles along the Kansas-Missouri border. Property owners in the region are not participants in the heritage area unless they formally request membership in writing. Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

To connect with Adams, please contact her at [email protected].