Adirondack Experience Names Christopher Dobbs as New Executive Director 

Press Room

For Immediate Release:  
May 28, 2026 

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE, NY – The Board of Trustees of the Adirondack Experience (ADKX), The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Dobbs as its new Executive Director. An accomplished leader with more than 25 years of experience in the museum sector, Dobbs brings a proven track record of strategic growth, community engagement, and institutional stewardship to one of the region’s most vital cultural landmarks. 

Dobbs joins ADKX from the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, where he served as Executive Director since 2018. During his tenure there, he was instrumental in expanding public programming, overseeing significant capital improvements, and fostering deep collaborations with local and tribal communities. His arrival at ADKX marks a return to the Northeast, where he previously led the Connecticut River Museum and the Noah Webster House.  

Dobbs succeeds ADKX Executive Director David Kahn, who announced his retirement last August. For more than fifteen years, David has guided the Adirondack Experience with vision, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to its mission. Under his leadership, the museum has been transformed from reimagined exhibitions and beautifully renovated spaces to the expansion of educational outreach and public programming.  

“David Kahn’s fifteen-year legacy is marked by significant growth and transformation,” said Anne Donovan Bodnar, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are grateful for his leadership, which laid a strong foundation for our future. As we enter this next chapter, we are thrilled to welcome Chris to the Adirondack Experience. His visionary approach to museum management and his passion for history and storytelling make him the ideal leader to build upon our recent successes.” 

Dobbs joins ADKX at a moment when it is embarking on its next chapter of strategic growth, capital improvements, and its commitment to reexamining and expanding the narratives that have shaped common understandings of the Adirondacks.  

“I am honored to join the Adirondack Experience and to serve as a steward for the rich heritage of this magnificent region,” said Dobbs. “ADKX is a world-class institution known for its immersive exhibits and stunning location. I look forward to working with the talented staff and dedicated board to create meaningful experiences for all visitors, to build meaningful partnerships between ADKX and the surrounding community and region, and to strengthen our role as a hub for Adirondack history and culture.” 

Dobbs holds a Master of Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program and a Bachelor of Arts in American History from Indiana University. He will officially assume his role at ADKX on July 15, 2026. 

Click Here to Share a Congratulations Message with Chris!

About Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake 
Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake (ADKX), accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, shares the history and culture of the Adirondack region through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and culturally rich collections in more than 24 historic and contemporary buildings on a 121-acre campus in the heart of the Adirondacks. The ADKX offers a broad range of programs and activities including special and permanent exhibitions, the 19,000-square-foot Life in the Adirondacks interactive exhibition and new Artists & Inspiration in the Wild, nature trail hikes, and boating on Minnow Pond. ADKX offers daily activities with artists-in-residence, workshops, lectures, nature walks, family and educational programs, and signature events like the Rustic Fair, FallFest, and the Adirondack Art Festival. The museum is supported in part with donations from the general public, with some general operating support made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. For additional information, call 518-352-7311 or visit www.theADKX.org. 

Media Contact:  
Amanda Metzger 
Behan Communications 
amanda.metzger@behancom.com 
C: 518-769-3146  

Adirondack Experience Contact:   
Tara Murphy  
Director of Marketing and Communications  
tmurphy@theadkx.org 
O: (518) 352-7311 ext. 182

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