Meet the new assistant director of the Gaston County Museum

The Gaston County Museum of Art and History’s new Assistant Director Matthew Titchiner immigrated to the United States in 2018.

Originally from Barrowford in Lancashire, England, Titchiner attended college at the University of Hull, where he obtained a bachelor of arts in archaeology and medieval studies, he said.

Titchiner’s career in museums began at the King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester, England, a job he landed before graduating college.

His expertise in archaeology and medieval history did not limit Titchiner to a specific realm of museums, though.

“I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve had a lot of varied work experience,” Titchiner said.

After marrying his wife, Daniela, Titchiner moved to Rhode Island where Daniela, a neonatal nurse, completed her residency.

The couple then moved to Durham for Daniela’s fellowship, and landed in Gaston County after she accepted a job at the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.

Along the way, Titchiner worked at several museums, and most recently worked at the museum archives of Rockingham County.

“I think that probably one of the most common questions people ask is, ‘what do you do in museums,’ well, kind of a bit of everything, really. You have to be a bit of a jack of all trades,” Titchiner said.

He added that his favorite part is talking to the public, connecting with the history, and giving tours.

“One of the only downsides of museum leadership is that it takes you away from the day-to-day history and connecting with people,” Titchiner said.

Titchiner is looking forward to getting to work with the team at the Gaston museum, he said.

“I think I’m most excited by the breadth of programs and just the level of output, whether it’s outreach, programs, exhibits, and really working with the team,” Titchiner said. “Super dedicated, super hardworking team and it’s just fun to get cooking. That’s what I’m looking forward to most is getting cooking and to know the team more, and really connecting with the Gaston County community at large.”

In his free time, Titchiner enjoys spending time with his wife and their young twin girls, Brianna and Evelyn, according to a post by the Gaston County Museum.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Meet the new assistant director of the Gaston County Museum