Georgetown Heritage Names Terrie Rouse Director

Georgetown Heritage, the new nonprofit “with the mission of promoting and presenting the history of Washington D.C.’s oldest neighborhood,” named Terrie S. Rouse as its executive director.

“Rouse is a seasoned museum and nonprofit professional with experience in start-ups, museums, interpretive centers and visitor centers,” according to Georgetown Heritage. “Previously, she served as chief operating officer for the launch of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta and was CEO for Visitor Services at the United States Capitol Visitor Center.

Georgetown Heritage says its first priority is “to restore and revitalize the Georgetown section of the C&O Canal National Historical Park,” and adds, “In recent years budget cuts have forced the National Park Service to eliminate educational programming and defer important maintenance work in Georgetown, leaving canal infrastructure in disrepair. Georgetown Heritage was created by local business leaders and residents to address these issues.”

The nonprofit has administrative, staff and office support thanks to the Georgetown Business Improvement District. The group says that BID CEO Joe Sternlieb and two BID board members serve on the Georgetown Heritage board along with neighborhood leaders.

Rouse has 35 years of experience in nonprofit and museum management. She worked for Kansas City’s Union Station, a historic landmark, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Studio Museum in Harlem and the New York Transit Museum.