June 2025 Speaker, Karen L. Daly, President of Stratford Hall

Karen L. Daly is the current President of Stratford Hall, the historic estate in Westmoreland County, VA, and a significant figure in Virginia’s museum community.

Career Highlights:

• Appointed President of Stratford Hall in January 2021, succeeding John Bacon. Previously spent 12 years as Executive Director of Dumbarton House in Georgetown and five years as its Education Director.

• Oversees overall strategy and operations of Stratford Hall—preserving the Lees’ legacy, historic buildings, gardens, educational programs, and outreach on the 2,000‑acre estate.

Museum Leadership & Advocacy:

• Elected President of the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) in April 2024 and works on strategic priorities like advocacy and sustainability in the lead-up to the U.S. Semiquincentennial (2026) (vamuseums.org).

• Long-standing VAM benefactor member since 2006 (vamuseums.org).

Education & Recognition:

• Bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary; M.A. in Museum Education from George Washington University.

• Recipient of awards including the William A. Cochran Award (Citizens Assoc. of Georgetown) and the Communitarian Award (Georgetown Business Association).

About Stratford Hall:

Stratford Hall is a National Historic Landmark established in the 1730s by Thomas Lee. It’s famous as the childhood home of Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee (Declaration signers) and birthplace of Robert E. Lee. Under Daly’s leadership, Stratford Hall maintains its mission of “honest and accurate preservation” and “bringing history alive and remaining relevant” (stratfordhall.org).

In summary, Karen Daly’s vision is multi-dimensional—grounded in deep heritage yet forward-looking. She is strengthening Stratford Hall through strategic planning, statewide partnerships, infrastructure investment, and inclusive public storytelling—all with an eye toward empowering future generations.