New executive director hopes to boost Germantown tourism

For its first executive director, the 15 sites of Historic Germantown were looking for someone with new ideas who could take the group to the next level. The search committee didn’t want an architect, historian or preservationist. It was looking for someone who had the skills that would complete the group.

After a search that began with more than 60 applicants, Barbara Hogue was chosen.  Hogue’s experience with the arts in major cities impressed the committee. “She can serve as a catalyst for collaboration,” said Carolyn Faris, program coordinator for HG. “She has the ability to help us move forward as a premiere tourist destination.” Hogue is no stranger to the Philadelphia arts and culture community.  In 2006, she launched ARTwork, where she consulted on fundraising, marketing and organization development. She worked with The Waldorf School of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe. Hogue, a Roxborough resident who has lived in Philadelphia for about five years, began the executive director job on May 16. Over the next six months she will focus on increasing tourism, developing new programs and finding new ways to utilize historic sites.  Hogue also plans to revamp the Historic Germantown website to give it a more dynamic feel.  Of the historic neighborhood she says,  “It’s a hidden gem. We need to get more people to see the history here.” A two-year grant secured in 2010 from the Berra Foundation providied funding for Historic Germantown to hire an executive director.