Kate Lemos McHale ’91, who grew up in Damariscotta, is the preservation nonprofit’s new executive director. (Photo courtesy of Greater Portland Landmarks)
Kate Lemos McHale ’91, New York City Historic Preservation Specialist, Hired as Leader of Greater Portland Landmarks
by Sara Coughlin for Portland Press Herald
A Maine native who spent nearly two decades preserving, researching and educating people about historic buildings in New York City has been named the new executive director of Greater Portland Landmarks.
Kate Lemos McHale is filling the role vacated by Sarah Hansen, who resigned last July following the departure of three other staff members. Fundraising professional Laird Yock had been filling in as acting executive director for the last year. McHale started Monday.
The nonprofit was founded in 1964 to protect historic buildings and landscapes in the area. The organization works with developers to ensure new buildings fit in with existing neighborhoods, advocates for preservation at the municipal and state levels, and educates homeowners and the public about local architecture and history. It is also the steward of the Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill.
The group most recently made headlines when it sued the city of Portland after councilors voted to allow the Portland Museum of Art to demolish the former Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine at 142 Free St. for its sweeping expansion.
McHale, who is from Damariscotta, previously served as director of research for the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, a position she held for over seven years. Before that, she spent over a decade at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners as a senior associate and director of research, working to preserve and reuse historic buildings and to facilitate public approval processes. McHale has also taught classes on historic preservation at the Pratt Institute School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
Originally published July 1, 2024 in The Portland Press Herald. Click on the link above to read the full article.
