Geneva history center 'ham' leaving for Grayslake post

David Oberg admits he is a "big ham" - and at the Geneva History Center he employed that trait often in his role as the executive director.

The history center now needs another ham, or at least an executive director with the passion Oberg displayed for the past 41/2 years.

Oberg informed the board last week that he will be resigning and taking a position Oct. 25 as the director of a new history center in Grayslake.

"Yes, I'm a big ham, but my father was a big ham, too," Oberg said. "I have always enjoyed that part of it, doing the historical re-enactments or portraying characters, and I have always looked for creative and unusual ways for people to connect with their history."

While previous center Director Keith Coryell was an extensive researcher and communicator with the written word, Oberg literally burst upon the scene as a vocal advocate and boisterous cheerleader for Geneva's history.

"I think it is good to present a community's history by being out and moving around," Oberg said. "I went on one of educator Margaret Selkaovich's history walks when I first came here, and it was just fascinating to grasp this city's history in that way."

Oberg admitted that he will "really miss the historic pub crawls" through town. "Those were a blast," he said.

Oberg said the position in Grayslake is a perfect fit because it is a startup project.

"They just opened a new, state-of-the-art facility and will be making the transition from an all-volunteer organization to one that will expand and become deeply engaged in the community," Oberg said.

For the time being, Oberg will be the only full-time staffer at the Grayslake facility, but he said being an executive director at a small museum always means you have to wear a lot of hats and get involved in other community groups.

"My wife and I loved our time here in Geneva," Oberg said. "You rarely find a city with such a vibrant downtown area, and I just had a great team here at the center and we built up some great programs and series."

Mary Bencini, a member of the center's executive committee, said the history center board will meet Tuesday night to discuss potential replacements and options for the center, and also has planned an October retreat to further develop future plans.

Because of Oberg's role as a past president of the Illinois Association of Museums, those on the Geneva History Center board felt it was only a matter of time before another museum might seek his services.

"I think he's done a great job with all of our programs at the center," Bencini said. "Since he's been the executive director, more people have learned more about the center and our membership has gone up."

Oberg said he will stay at the center through the Oct. 23 Ghost Walk event to help in any sort of transition that will result.

"Plus, I am doing it partly for a selfish reason," Oberg admitted. "I really enjoy that Ghost Walk event."