Peter Armstrong to embark on a new journey after completing a pivotal phase of leadership at Mystic Seaport Museum

Peter Armstrong photo via Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum President and CEO Peter Armstrong has announced that he will be stepping down from his role later this summer. Armstrong, who has led the Museum since 2020, will return to his native England to be closer to family. His final day at the Museum will be August 6.

“It has been a joy and a great honor to lead this organization through the challenges of COVID and help reestablish it as one of the world’s foremost maritime museums,” said Armstrong. “My family has been instrumental in supporting these worthy endeavors, and while I will miss the colleagues and community that I’ve had the privilege to work alongside, it’s time for my wife and I to return the favor. Like many, we now find ourselves balancing the responsibilities of caring for an aging parent and embracing the joys of becoming more present and active grandparents to our growing family. When I arrived in Mystic, my goal was to lay a strategic foundation that would guide this Museum into its centennial and secure its success for the next 100 years—and I believe that, through the work of the past five years, the Museum is now well positioned to do so.”

During his tenure, Armstrong brought renewed vision and momentum to the Museum. He spearheaded the development of Charting Our Course, a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines the Museum’s priorities and long-term goals. He launched the first phase of the campus master plan and created the American Institute for Maritime Studies (AIMS), establishing the Museum as a leader in maritime research and publishing.

Armstrong also oversaw several significant capital projects, including the restoration of 30,000 square feet of the historic Rossie Mill into the Wells Boat Hall—slated for completion in August—which will serve as the future home of the American Watercraft Collection; upgrades to the floating docks at the award-winning Mystic Seaport Museum Marina; and most recently facilitated a partnership with Greenwich Hospitality Group to bring their newest hotel, Delamar Mystic on the Museum grounds — a privately owned property that enhances the visitor experience and complements the campus environment. Each of these projects represents a pivotal addition to the Museum’s physical and experiential footprint. His commitment to fostering community through partnerships and collaboration has left a legacy, solidifying the Museum’s ties locally and beyond.

“We are all grateful to Peter for his hard work and dedication over the past five years.  He successfully led the Museum out of the COVID pandemic and back into being a vibrant, active, award-winning Museum.  Peter designed and executed a substantial reorganization of the Museum which has better positioned us for the future, by fostering collaborative and collegial effort amongst and across all stakeholders,” stated Richard Clary, Board Chair at the Museum.  

To ensure a smooth transition, Christopher Freeman, Vice President of Advancement and 27-year veteran of the Museum, will assume the role of Interim CEO while the Board of Trustees form a search committee to identify Armstrong’s successor. Freeman brings extensive institutional knowledge and a deep commitment to the mission, ensuring stability and continuity during this period of leadership transition.

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Peter Armstrong to embark on a new journey after completing a pivotal phase of leadership at Mystic Seaport Museum