Belinda Weiss of Campbell is the new director of the William McKinley Birthplace Museum in Niles. She had previously worked for the Arms Family Museum in Youngstown Weiss has a love of history and teaches at Kent State University,

Campbell resident Belinda Weiss, who spent many years with the Arms Family Museum in Youngstown, has taken over as the new director of the National McKinley Memorial Birthplace Museum in Niles.

Weiss, who started in January, said she is excited about the “great opportunity” as museum director.

Before starting at the museum, Weiss spent the past 11 years as a guide coordinator / curatorial assistant at the Arms Family Museum. She learned of her selection as the Niles museum director on New Year’s Eve and officially was hired Jan. 6.

Weiss said she always had a love of history in school and eventually went on to study history both for her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Youngstown State University.

Weiss also has worked as a college professor at Kent State University, often instructing classes online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I love how in history everything is so interconnected. Things do not just happen in a vacuum. History is reflected in everything, whether literature, artwork, music. It goes way beyond the dates, facts and names. It is all-encompassing and is why I enjoy it,” Weiss said.

The Campbell resident said many people she worked with at the Arms Museum helped her and provided her with guidance, knowledge and skills that she can bring to her new position in Niles.

“I watched and learned and plan to use what I learned there to help this place grow and get more recognized like the Arms Museum,” Weiss said.

She said she hopes to speak in the community and to various historical groups about the museum.

“I want people to come and see the memorial and learn a little bit more about the 25th president, William McKinley. A lot of people have not been here before and then walk into this beautiful building that began construction in 1915 and ended in 1917. The building itself is very impressive. There is a lot of information here on McKinley. It needs to be something on people’s radar,” she said

Weiss said she looks forward to expanding the museum and gaining more recognition for it. She also is planning to host more events to attract more visitors.

“I have a board that is very supportive so the sky’s the limit for events. It’s a presidential museum so it will be nice to get more recognition,” Weiss said.

Plans for the museum include a model car show, a political show and a tea party this spring.

Weiss said for Women’s History Month in March, she will have displays of Ida McKinley showcasing her life, which included poor health and epilepsy.

“We don’t often hear that much about Ida. I want to focus on the relationship between her and William. He was very devoted and dedicated to Ida’s condition. It was a love story in many ways of William’s support for her and all she went through,” Weiss said.

“I am looking to have a regular exhibit that changes all the time in the museum’s two large display cases. I want to showcase local collectors. The one in March is historic models of the moon landing and the White House and others. That will be something people will want to see,” Weiss said.

She said other exhibits planned include Native American culture in April with arrowheads and other items.

“I want to start featuring local people and what they collect or have done. I would like to bring their collections into this museum,” she said,

Weiss said she would like to get students into the museum for college internships or class projects.

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. In her spare time, Weiss likes to read and also is an avid runner in her neighborhood.

Weiss and her husband Gene like to travel. She has a daughter, Holly Vavlas.

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