By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO — Following the retirement of longtime Plainsboro Historical Society Executive Director Robert Yuell last month, a Recreation Department employee with years of experience in running museums and historical sites has been tapped as the new township history czar.
Patricia Millen was given the position because of her past experience working as the second curator of the Clarke House in Princeton Township, the Pratt Museum in New York City, and the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, among other positions, according to Township Administrator Robert Sheehan
Mr. Sheehan said she would be a valuable addition to the Historical Society.
”She has experience with museums and nonprofits,” said Mr. Sheehan. “We really think she will be able to bring some additional knowledge and experience to that operation.”
While serving as executive director, Ms. Millen will continue her regular township job, working for the Plainsboro Recreation Department running certain programs like the summer camp for township youth.
”But my first love is history museums,” Ms. Millen said.
Ms. Millen said she decided To join the Plainsboro Recreation Department after a running injury damaged her knee, which made commuting by train to Philadelphia’s Constitution Center problematic.
For the Plainsboro Historical Society and the Plainsboro Museum, Ms. Millen said she has plans to increase public awareness about the society and its museum, and update exhibits.
”I want to bring it up to a certain level of professionalism,” Ms. Millen said.
She said she plans on bringing those ideas, and others, to an upcoming meeting of the Historical Society’s board of trustees.
The current museum is located within the circa-1880 Wickoff House, adjacent to the Plainsboro Municipal Center.
It was previously open to the public twice a month, although Ms. Millen said she plans to change that, having the building open on additional days for visitors.
”I want to look at all those things that a historical society has to do to be successful,” said Ms. Millen. “A lot of work has to be done.”
Both Mr. Sheehan and Ms. Millen lauded the efforts of the outgoing director, Mr. Yuell, who ran the organization and the museum for 25 years.
Ms. Millen noted the work Mr. Yuell had put into the township’s excellent baseball exhibit, and other exhibits about Plainsboro’s past as an agriculture town and as the site of the Walker-Gordon dairy complex.
Mr. Sheehan said that Ms. Millen’s experience fundraising and applying for historical grants should be of immense help to the Plainsboro Historical Society.
Ms. Millen currently lives in Ewing, although she lived in Princeton for several years while working at the Clarke House.
She also spent a few years living in upstate New York while working at several historical sites near Cooperstown, N.Y., until changes in her husband’s employment required a return to the Garden State.
Mr. Yuell’s recent retirement from the paid executive director position came after his decision to retire with his wife and move to Florida, according to Mr. Sheehan, who said Ms. Millen will continue to receive her Recreation Department salary.

