Mark Hudson Appointed to Lead Tudor Place Into Its Third Century

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2015
contact: Mandy Katz

Tudor Place South Facade

Tudor Place and its iconic Federal-style south facade with Portico.
[credit: Ron Blunt Photography]

Tudor Place is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Hudson as the museum’s next executive director, commencing October 5, 2015, on the cusp of the National Historic Landmark’s bicentennial year. Mr. Hudson succeeds Leslie Buhler,

who is retiring after 15 years of extraordinary leadership during which she established Tudor Place — first opened to the public in 1988 — as a noteworthy contributor to the nation’s historic and cultural life.

“Mark brings to the position extensive professional experience, a strong academic background, and remarkable enthusiasm for the future of Tudor Place,” said Geoffrey B. Baker, president of the Tudor Place Board of Trustees.  Mr. Hudson comes to Tudor Place from the Vermont Historical Society, which he has directed since 2009.  The Vermont Historical Society is a multifaceted statewide organization encompassing a museum and substantial collections, a genealogical research library, a biennial state History Expo, the Vermont Women’s History Project, and a publishing arm.

Mark Hudson“I have for a number of years been following the activities at Tudor Place, particularly with respect to the care of its extraordinary collections,” Mr. Hudson said of his appointment. With respect to the Master Preservation Plan and Bicentennial initiatives underway, Mr. Hudson noted, “having the opportunity to lead Tudor Place as it embarks upon these ambitious endeavors is amazing.”

Mr. Hudson looks forward to bringing to fruition the plan to secure Tudor Place’s historical and cultural assets for a new century. “As I have learned more about this historic treasure,” he noted, “my enthusiasm has grown. The museum’s master plan reflects a bold vision that demonstrates a commitment to the preservation and interpretation of this nationally significant site,” he said.

During Mr. Hudson’s tenure, the Vermont Historical Society received the 2012 American Association for State and Local History’s Leadership in History Awards for the History Explorer website and the publication, A Very Fine Appearance: The Vermont Civil War Photographs of George Houghton. His work at Tudor Place marks a return to our region, as he directed the Historical Society of Frederick County, Maryland, from 1998-2009. During his term there, the society secured accreditation from the American Association of Museums (in 2003) and received the 2005 Small Museum Association’s Hunter-Burley Award for advancing public access and professional growth in an individual institution. Early in his distinguished career, Mark was curator of the Boone County Historical Society in Missouri, his home state.

Mr. Hudson’s other professional and civic commitments include, since 2010, chairing the Vermont Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission by gubernatorial appointment. He served six times as a Museums for America field reviewer for the Institute for Museum and Library Services. His Board service includes the Save Historic Antietam Foundation (2006-2009) and Maryland Association of History Museums (1999-2005).

Mark was selected by Tudor Place Trustees following an extensive national search conducted by a firm specializing in museum placements.

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The Tudor Place Legacy Circle

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Become a Lasting Guardian

The Tudor Place Legacy Circle recognizes individuals who share our commitment to preserving America’s history by including Tudor Place in their estate plans.  Legacy Circle members ensure that this National Historic Landmark will stand and educate for generations to come. Legacy Circle giving lets you support the Tudor Place Foundation in ways other than outright gifts of cash or other assets.

If you have long supported preservation, estate gifts provide a way to make your preferences a lasting legacy. Please view the range of planned giving options below, any of which can be customized to your philanthropic goals, and contact Assistant Director of Development Felice Herman by email or phone, 202.580.7321, to learn more!

PLANNED GIVING OPTIONS

Bequests

Bequests are gifts made through a will and are a wonderful and important way to support Tudor Place. A bequest can be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or the remainder of your estate. These gifts have no immediate impact on your current lifestyle. Please consider a gift through your estate.

Listed below are samples of bequest language for the most common types of bequests. Every estate plan is different, so please share this information with your estate planner to determine which one works best for you.

Residual Bequest

A residual bequest is a gift made to the Tudor Place Foundation after all other bequests, debts, and taxes are paid. Sample language:

I give, devise and bequeath to Tudor Place Foundation, Inc.  [all or percentage] of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, to be used for its unrestricted use and purpose (or for the support of a specific program).

Specific Bequest

A specific bequest names Tudor Place as a beneficiary of a specific gift amount designated in advance by you. Sample language:

I give, devise and bequeath to the Tudor Place Foundation, the sum of $_____ (or asset) to be used for its unrestricted use and purposes (or for the support of a specific program).

Contingent Bequest

A contingent bequest names Tudor Place a beneficiary in the event that one of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled.  Sample language:

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise I give, devise and bequeath to the Tudor Place, the sum of $____ (or all or a specific percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific program),

Charitable Gift Annuities

A charitable gift annuity is a contract in which a donor transfers cash or appreciated securities to Tudor Place in exchange for a fixed annual payment for the duration of one or two lives. The donor may receive a charitable gift deduction and minimize capital gains taxes. Tax treatment and annuity payment size vary according to the value of property donated, beneficiary’s age at time of the gift, and IRS-mandated interested rates. Payments are a general obligation of Tudor Place.

Charitable Trusts

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Because they pay no capital gains tax, Charitable Remainder Trusts are ideal instruments for highly appreciated assets and stocks.  There are two types of Trusts accepted by Tudor Place:

  • A Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust pays a set dollar amount at defined intervals to an individual for a term of years or life.  At termination the remainder is paid to Tudor Place.
  • A Charitable Remainder Unitrust pays a fixed percentage of the trust’s assets as valued annually to an individual for a term of years or life.  At termination the remainder is paid to Tudor Place.
Charitable Lead Trusts

A Charitable Lead Trust permits a donor to make an annual gift to Tudor Place while retaining the remainding interest for the donor, the donor’s descendants, or for another non-charitable beneficiary. Charitable Lead Trusts permit the flexibility to remove assets from a donor’s estate and pass them to younger generations in a tax-friendly manner while fulfilling charitable wishes. There are two types of Trusts accepted by Tudor Place:

  • A Charitable Lead Annuity Trust pays a set dollar amount or a set percentage of the initial trust assets to Tudor Place on an annual basis.
  • A Charitable Lead Unitrust pays a fixed percentage of the trust’s assets as valued annually to Tudor Place.

The payment period for a Charitable Lead Trust can be a specific term of years or the life or lives of the individual or individuals identified on the date of transfer to the Trust.  When the payment period expires, the trust ceases to exist and assets are paid to either the donor or designated beneficiaries.

LEGAL DESIGNATIONS

Tudor Place Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization according to the IRS, organized under the laws of the District of Columbia.  We are located at 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington, D.C.  20007. The foundation’s tax ID number is 52-6070337

Planning your estate and providing for future generations aligned with your charitable interests takes careful evaluation. Wherever you are in your estate and financial planning, through the Tudor Place Legacy Circle, you can create a bold preservation legacy. Contact us today!