Elizabeth Shapiro served as Interim Director of Culture for the state of Connecticut for nine months before being named permanent Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums in May 2019. In this position, she oversees the operation of the Connecticut Office of the Arts and the State Historic Preservation Office, and is responsible for the strategic visioning, management and operations of four historic sites and museums operated by the DECD — the Henry Whitfield State Museum (Guilford), the Prudence Crandall Museum (Canterbury), the Eric Sloane Museum (Kent), and Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine (East Granby). Prior to her position with the state, Shapiro spent six years as Executive Director of the Connecticut League of History Organizations, and served as Executive Director of The Sharon Historical Society for twenty years. She has also worked as a consultant to nonprofit organizations in governance and strategic planning. Shapiro attended Haverford College and received a master’s degree in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program.