NSLM Announces New Executive Director

The National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) in Middleburg has appointed Elizabeth von Hassell as executive director. She will join NSLM this month.

“We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth as NSLM’s Executive Director,” said Manuel H. Johnson, chairman of the NSLM Board of Directors. “She brings a wide range of experience to our organization. We are excited to begin working with her to grow NSLM.”

The National Sporting Library & Museum is in the heart of beautiful hunt country. Founded in 1954, the renowned research library, and fine art museum highlights the rich heritage and tradition of country pursuits. It offers a wide variety of educational programs, exhibitions, and family activities throughout the year, and is open to researchers and the general public. Visitors can explore many subjects including angling, horsemanship, shooting, steeplechasing, foxhunting, flat racing, polo, coaching, and wildlife in the organization’s general stacks, rare book holdings, archives, and art collection.

Von Hassell previously served as the director of development at James Madison’s Montpelier. In that capacity, she worked closely with Montpelier’s leadership on conservation and preservation projects.

“The Montpelier Foundation, stewards of the home and legacy of James Madison, with great regret announced the departure of Elizabeth von Hassell who has been recruited to take over leadership of the National Sporting Library & Museum,” said Kat Imhoff, president and CEO of James Madison’s Montpelier. “During her tenure, Montpelier has raised over $45 million but as important has seen an increase in membership and engagement due to her drive and dedication. Elizabeth will always be considered a member of the Montpelier family but her energy, enthusiasm and plain out-right fun spirit will be missed on a daily basis by all. We look forward however to partnering with the NSLM to promote conservation and other opportunities to support their and our work in the Piedmont.”

Before joining Montpelier in 2014, von Hassell worked at Shenandoah University and spent 25 years living and working between New York City and Clarke County, Virginia as a vice president of marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. Born in Winchester, Virginia, she is a graduate of Hollins University. An avid outdoor person, she enjoys riding, hiking, canoeing, fishing, shooting, and tennis.

Von Hassell is currently on the board of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and has served on the boards of the Preservation Alliance of Virginia, Millwood Country Club, Long Branch Historic Plantation, Old Chatham Hunt Club, and the Lost Brigade Wounded Warrior Foundation.

This article first appeared in the December 2018 issue of Middleburg Life.