Our Team
Manager & Curator
Dr. Simge Erdogan-O’Connor
Simge joined our team in March 2020 after spending 10 years working at art galleries, museums and heritage sites in the UK and Turkey. She holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies from Queen’s University and an MA in Museum Studies from the University College London (UCL). Simge is truly passionate about museums and developing meaningful cultural experiences that connect the community with Kingston’s rich cultural heritage.
Project Coordinator
Sam Nicholls
Sam is a former employee of Murney Tower Museum and current volunteer Project Coordinator for our Centennial Initiative. Sam has an MA in Public History from Carleton University and a BA in History from Queen’s University. As a Kingston girl born and raised, she is passionate about preserving and promoting Kingston’s history - especially at the unique and iconic Murney Tower! Sam now lives in Ottawa working as a Historical Researcher at Know History Inc.
Chair
Liana Shaw
Liana recently retired from a career in legal publishing and has quickly filled her spare time with all things historical, from continuing a lifelong passion for genealogical research (she is pursuing certification with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies) to volunteering on the Kingston Historical Society Board as the Chair for the Murney Tower Museum. A long-time member of the KHS with local ancestral roots stretching back six generations, she is deeply invested in promoting Kingston’s history and culture.
Museum Assistant
Eva Sheahan
Eva is a second year BAH student at Queen’s University who is studying English Literature and History. Eva works at the Queen’s University Daycare, which allows her to connect with the Kingston community and families. Working with Murney Tower as an intern through Queen’s HIST 212 Course: Experiential Learning will introduce Eva to more Canadian history. Eva is excited to learn more about Kingston’s military and cultural history by working at Kingston’s oldest operating museum.
Education Assistant
Roxanne Dinu
Roxanne is a first-year B.Ed/BSCH student at Queen’s University with a focus on Biology and French studies. She is in concurrent education seeking opportunities to enrich her knowledge and understanding as an educator by contributing to the educational events Murney Tower offers to the Kingston community. Roxanne is looking forward to not only furthering her knowledge about Murney Tower’s rich history but also to help share this appreciation with children in the community.
Programming Assistant
Alexa Williams
Alexa is a third year BAH student at Queen’s University studying sociology, history and gender studies. She joined the Murney Tower Museum as a programming assistant through the HIST 212 Experiential Learning Course at Queen’s University. She developed an interest in history since her early years of high school and she is looking forward to developing her knowledge of Kingston and its unique history further during her internship at the Murney Tower Museum.
Murney Tower Committee
The Murney Tower Museum is governed by a steering committee of the Kingston Historical Society. This passionate team consists of local volunteers and cultural heritage professionals who provide direction to museum staff on a daily basis.
Chair: Liana Shaw
Staff Resource: Dr. Simge Erdogan-O’Connor
Committee members: Liz Watkins-McLean, Peter Ginn, Don Richardson, Liana Shaw, Rebecca Marquez, Paul Charbonneau, Melina Fragis
Kingston Historical Society
The Murney Tower Museum is operated by The Kingston Historical Society. Established in 1893, this organization works to ensure the preservation and promotion of Kingston’s heritage and historical spaces. They offer publications, programming and have a substantial archival collection. With members from all over the world, the Society is always looking to recruit more passionate history buffs to share in the fun!