LACS starts 2020 with changes

The Luxembourg American Cultural Society has started the new year with a few upgrades and another on the way.

The LACS within the last month has rolled out a new logo and website, hired a new director and has plans for building renovations slated to start this month, according to a press release from the society.

Patricia Lutz takes over as the new executive director.

Lutz is the former executive director of the Washington County Historical Society. She led the organization to receive millions of dollars in grant money for various needs and has generated sponsorship, increased museum attendance and memberships and reduced operating expenses. She also has run several unique fundraisers.

“We are very impressed by her achievements and are excited to have her be part of our staff,” LACS Board of Directors Chairman Steve Befort said in the release.

A second director position was necessary due to the LACS membership increasing by 365% in the last four years.

The LACS Board of Directors worked with Executive Director Sara Jacoby on creating a new role for her as director of operations, which supports the executive director.

Jacoby took over the new position at the end of November when Lutz came on board.

The staffing increase came months after the LACS hired four new positions.

Serena Stuettgen was hired as a full-time museum coordinator. She had worked at the Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee.

Katie Gettel was hired as a part-time administrative associate to work the front desk. She was a volunteer coordinator for the Port Washington Historical Society and a college admissions representative for Bryant and Stratton College and Concordia University Wisconsin.

Roseann Geib was hired as the citizen advocate.

Tara Williams was brought on as a new contract employee to work part-time, replacing the former marketing and communications director. She has 19 years of consultant experience, including for brands owned by Miller Brewing Co., Boise Office Products and for events at Memories Dinner Theater in the Town of Port Washington. She is the executive director of the Belgium Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Luxembourg American Cultural Center  will undergo building renovations that will close the museum from Monday, Jan. 6, through Saturday, March 7.

During construction, staff will answer phones. A temporary exhibit will be on display across the street at Belgium Village Hall.

The renovations are designed to improve the functionality and appearance of the LACC, which was dedicated by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 2009.

Highlights include a more modern and airy JB Krier Welcome Center with more space for events and children’s programming.

The Dooley-Wagner Research Center will be more accessible and user friendly and will feature a dedicated research space for genealogists.

The gift shop will have a more open and inviting look and feel, and the Acuity Rotating Exhibit area is being upgraded. 

Interior design studio Maven Design of Port Washington has created the color palette, which integrates the existing warm, earthy neutral browns, balanced by worldly earthen grays, contrasted by strong black elements already throughout in the building’s architecture. Mueller Construction of Belgium is managing the building renovations.

Donations for the project are being accepted with donors invited to get the first peek at the updated museum at an exclusive grand-opening party yet to be scheduled.

The LACS’ new website updates several years-old versions.

The logo colors reflect those in the Luxembourg flag and the font is the same as in the new Luxembourg Fest logo introduced this year.

The LACS website is www.lacs.lu.