Michelle Donahoe named DeKalb County Historian

SYCAMORE - Michelle Donahoe was named as the new DeKalb County Historian at the DeKalb County Government Board meeting on Aug. 19,

“I want to give our sincere thanks to Sue Breese for all of the years of services she provided the County as the official DeKalb County Historian,” DeKalb County Board Chairman Mark Pietrowski said. “Now, we will be looking forward to Michelle Donahoe to be taking over that role and it is going to be very cohesive since she is the executive director of DeKalb County History Center.”

Michelle Donahoe became the executive director of the DeKalb County History Center when it started in March 2018 after serving as the executive director of the Sycamore History Museum for 13 years. Her prior work experiences include research assistant, volunteer coordinator, archivist and educator, with employment at large institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and Newberry Library, as well as local historical societies in Wheaton and Geneva.

Actively involved in the local nonprofit community, Donahoe is chair of the steering committee for the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history as well as a Master’s in public history, with concentration in museum education from Loyola University in Chicago. In 2019, she was elected to the Illinois Association of Museums board of directors.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this appointment,” Donahoe said. “DeKalb County has a rich history, and I look forward to continuing the tradition of collecting, preserving and sharing our county’s stories.”

The DeKalb County History Center is located at 1730 N. Main St. in Sycamore. The Joiner History Room is open by appointment and exhibits open to the public on Sept. 10. To make a reservation call 815-895-5762 or visit www.dekalbcountyhistory.org.