Historical Society Gets New Education Director

Port Washington native Carole McDonald is now education director at Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society in Port Washington, taking over from outgoing director Maria Vlahos.  

In her new role, McDonald will conduct tours at the historic Sands-Willets House and help expand the society's outreach to the region's schools and civic groups.

McDonald says the new position is especially meaningful. 

"I vividly remember standing in the hearth kitchen next to a woman dressed in colonial garb," McDonald said. "I couldn't have been more than eight, as I recall. And now I am that woman, making new memories for all the children who join me in our historic house-museum. I couldn't be more thrilled."

McDonald attended Port Washington Public Schools and received her Bachelor's Degree in speech, theater and communications from Marymount College of Fordham University in Tarrytown. In the early 1990s, Carole appeared on the CBS daytime drama "As the World Turns" and worked at WPIX-TV Channel 11 as the engineering division office manager.

A mother of three boys, McDonald has years of experience in media, communications and the performing arts as well as having worn countless hats in the childhood education field. Carole ran her own daycare operation and later enjoyed substitute teaching as well as volunteering in many PTA positions in the area of Maryland where she had lived in since 1992.   

Returning to her hometown is a "dream come true," she said. 

"Throughout my whole life I have been proud to always call Port Washington my home," she added. "I strongly credit the education that I received here as being the springboard for my successful career in media as well as the charge I felt as a parent to make sure that my children were both challenged and strove to achieve success in their scholastic careers."    

In her youth, McDonald was active with the Port Washington Play Troupe and received the North Shore Community Arts Center Drama Award in 1985 when graduating Paul D. Schreiber High School. 

"I also feel that my extensive background in performing will greatly enable me to engage my visitors by both entertaining them as well as informing them about the rich history of this area of Long Island," she said.

The Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society is dedicated to engaging people of all ages in programs that highlight the lifestyles of the people and families that lived and worked on the peninsula throughout the years. If you are interested in finding out about the tours that Carole can offer to your child's classroom, school or community group, please contact her at carole@cowneck.org, or (516) 365-9074.

For more information visit www.cowneck.org, or the facebook page at www.facebook.com/cnphs or call 516-365-9074. 

With special thanks to Stephanie Hall.