National Heritage Museum chief retiring

John H. Ott will retire from his position as executive director of National Heritage Museum on Friday, according to an announcement today from the Lexington institution.

Ott has lead the Mason-founded museum of American history and culture since 1999. "After 40 years of museum work, I feel it is time to allow someone else the pleasure of running this wonderful institution," Ott said in the announcement. He was formerly director of Hancock Shaker Village, the Atlanta Historical Society and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore. Ott and his wife Lili, who leads the Concord Art Association, plan to continue residing in Groton.

A search committee is expected to be named after the start of the new year. In the meantime, Richard Travis, a museum trustee and the institution’s chief financial officer, will serve as acting director.