![CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF NEW BERN ANNOUNCES HIRING OF ITS FIRST EVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR[NEW BERN, NC]- The Children’s Museum...](https://img5.ngos1.com/910/536/122146427769105365.jpg)
10/30/2026
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF NEW BERN ANNOUNCES HIRING OF ITS FIRST EVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
[NEW BERN, NC]- The Children’s Museum of New Bern is proud to announce the selection of its inaugural executive director, who will take the reins and help put the finishing touches on the museum before it opens later this year.
The board of directors of We Can Be Association (WCBA), the 501(c)(3) nonprofit creating the museum, held a nationwide search and voted unanimously to hire Taylor Kilgus of Davenport, Iowa, as its first ever executive director.
Kilgus, who started her new role Monday, earned her Master’s in Museum Studies from Western Illinois University-Quad Cities. She most recently served as the Associate Director of Success Programs at St. Ambrose University.
Kilgus previously worked at two children’s museums, and she applied for the position from halfway across the country because she wanted to get back into the museum industry and work with children. She also said WCBA’s mission and vision resonated deeply with her.
“I am extremely excited to get the museum open,” Kilgus said. “From what I’ve seen so far, it’s very much anticipated in the community. I’m very grateful to be a part of this experience.”
WCBA Board Member Karen Zachreus said Kilgus is the perfect fit to lead the museum.
“She really stood out because of her personality, her obvious love for children, and passion for inspiring the learning experience,” Zachreus said. “She wasn’t really familiar with the New Bern area, but she was willing to come all the way here to help start a children’s museum.”
WCBA Board President Erin Henry said she was impressed by Kilgus’ resume
“Her special interest in inclusion in accessibility seemed to be a perfect fit,” Henry said. “Once we interviewed her, she seemed like she would fit in and represent the museum well.”
Kilgus, WCBA board members, and many volunteers will work diligently to have the museum open sometime in December.
ABOUT WE CAN BE ASSOCIATION
WCBA started in 2020 with the mission to give grants for medical equipment, therapies, and out-of-pocket medical expenses for children in Eastern North Carolina. In November of 2025, the New Bern Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to lease their building at 408 Hancock St. to WCBA for $1 a year for a 5 year term to create a fun and educational space for children of all abilities. Any proceeds made over the operating costs will go back toward We Can Be’s original mission.
HOW TO HELP
To help support the museum, please consider donating at https://givebutter.com/LTTE0Y or mailing checks addressed to Children’s Museum of New Bern to 2994 Old Airport Road, New Bern, NC 28562.
Sponsorships are available by contacting [email protected].
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