Tryon History Museum
2025 Board of Directors
Our Board
Dick Callaway – President (2026)
An avid historian and North Carolina native, Dick Callaway and his wife, Fran, moved to Tryon from Louisville, Kentucky, eleven years ago. Fran is deeply involved in Tryon’s equestrian community, and together they have become an integral part of the town’s civic life. Dick has served on the Tryon History Museum Board for eight years, including the past four as President. He is also deeply involved with the North Carolina Transportation Museum and is a familiar presence at community gatherings throughout Tryon. If you don’t know Dick Callaway, you likely haven’t been to a Tryon event. Widely respected for his deep knowledge of local and regional history, Dick is a natural storyteller and an invaluable resource to the Museum. If you ask him a historical question, be prepared to take a seat—his understanding of the area’s past is both expansive and enduring.
Wanda May – Treasurer (2026)
Wanda May has called Tryon home for more than three decades. A Virginia native, she is the former owner of The Book Shelf, a beloved downtown Tryon shop she operated from 1993 to 2002. A founding member of the Tryon Downtown Development Association, Wanda has long been deeply involved in the life and growth of downtown Tryon. She brings extensive experience from careers in health systems management and church administration, along with a deep love for the town and its history.
Wanda dedicates an extraordinary amount of time and energy to the Tryon History Museum. Known for her quiet leadership and steady commitment, she is often the one who steps in to ensure the work gets done, making her an invaluable and trusted presence on the Board.
Skip Crowe (2026)
Skip Crowe and his wife, Denny, moved to Tryon eight years ago after retiring from careers spanning banking, textiles, and nonprofit work. Since then, both have been actively involved in the life of the community. Skip has served on the Tryon History Museum Board for four years, where he is known as a steady, thoughtful presence and a quiet force behind the scenes. His calm, judicious demeanor and connection to the town council bring balance and clarity to Board discussions, helping ensure the Museum’s work runs smoothly and effectively. In addition to his service at the Museum, Skip serves on the boards of Thermal Belt Outreach and the Tryon Rotary Club. In 2024, he was elected as a Tryon Commissioner, marking his first foray into public office and further demonstrating his commitment to serving the town.
Willard Whitson (2027)
Willard Whitson is the Executive Director of the KidSenses Children’s Museum in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. An award-winning artist and former arts educator, he has spent more than four decades creating engaging, informal learning environments at institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the National Children’s Museum. Willard brings creativity and exhibit expertise to the Tryon History Museum, helping expand its reach and enrich the visitor experience through thoughtful, engaging design. His passion lies in fostering curiosity and lifelong learning, particularly for young visitors, and in creating museum spaces that inspire people of all ages to ask questions and explore.
Willard says, “It is very exciting to create places where our youngest visitors gain the tools of inquiry that will enable them to become self-reliant, curious individuals. I hope our young visitors never stop wanting to learn and ask questions. It what we humans do best.”
Harriet Hudson (2027)
Harriet Hudson came to Tryon five years ago after leaving Texas and quickly became an active and engaged presence in the community. An interior designer with a special interest in historic homes and furnishings, she brings a strong preservation-minded perspective to her work. Harriet has direct museum experience through her work with the Winterthur Museum in Delaware and contributes both energy and initiative to the Tryon History Museum. She is deeply involved in a number of town efforts, including downtown development and historic preservation, and is widely known as someone who sees projects through with care and precision. Driven, capable, and highly engaged, Harriet plays a key role in keeping the Museum moving forward and ensuring that its work is done thoughtfully and well.
Frances Parker (2027)
Frances Parker is a true native of the Tryon area, having grown up on a peach farm off Blackstock Road in Landrum. After graduating from high school, she attended North Greenville College and went on to build a distinguished career as a paralegal, working for 33 years at a local law firm. Following a brief hiatus, she was recruited back into the legal field, where she continued her work for an additional seven years. Frances joined the Tryon History Museum Board in January 2024 and quickly became an invaluable resource. Her deep knowledge of the area, its people, and its history enriches the Museum’s work and strengthens its connection to the community. Known for her warmth and approachability, it’s often said that Frances is so friendly she could “even get along with the devil”—a quality that makes her a trusted presence and a true gem to all who know her.
Cinda Austin (2027)
Cinda left big city life and settled into Tryon 17 years ago. Her main interest is in bringing people together through local agriculture and food which was served in historic hotels and homes over our history. She served as the Food Coordinator for the very successful Farm-To-Trade event put on by TDDA. She is closely involved in promoting our local wineries. Her motto is "Every Table has a Story". Cinda is excited to help promote our local history by joining the board.
Heather Brady – Vice President (2028)
Heather Brady came to Tryon from Greenville, SC, with a lifelong curiosity for history, place, and storytelling. Her professional background in real estate and project management has deepened her appreciation for preservation, research, and the narratives that shape communities. From tracing historic deeds to uncovering local lore, Heather is passionate about keeping Tryon’s history alive and relevant. As Vice President of the Tryon History Museum, she brings a strategic, hands-on approach to her work, with a goal of strengthening the Museum’s role as a vibrant destination and essential stop on the Tryon map.
Hub Arledge (2026)
Hub Arledge is a lifelong Tryon native, born and raised in the community he continues to serve. With deep roots and long-standing relationships throughout the area, he is a trusted resource for people, places, and local knowledge—often knowing not only the answer, but who to ask if he doesn’t. Hub brings to the Museum an exceptional understanding of Tryon’s history and a strong belief in the importance of protecting and preserving it. His perspective, institutional memory, and commitment to stewardship make him a valuable presence on the Board and an advocate for keeping Tryon’s stories alive for future generations.
Dr. Warren Carson (2028)
Dr. Warren Carson is a native of Tryon, having grown up on the Eastside of town. His deep knowledge of, and long-standing civic involvement in, the African American community is essential to the Museum’s mission to fully and faithfully tell Tryon’s history. Dr. Carson is retired after a distinguished career as an administrator and professor at USC Upstate. He continues to serve the town with dedication and generosity as President of the Roseland Community Center in Tryon, where he helps provide a vital gathering place for the community and meaningful opportunities for children. A trusted voice and invaluable resource, Dr. Carson brings both lived experience and historical insight—particularly regarding Tryon’s Eastside—ensuring that these stories are preserved, honored, and shared for generations to come.
Colin Thompson (2028)
Colin Thompson is an Upstate South Carolina native with deep family roots in Western North Carolina and the Tryon area. After spending his career leading teams and organizations across both corporate and small business environments, Colin returned to Tryon over a year ago to take over and be a thoughtful steward of his family home. He joined the Tryon History Museum Board as its newest—and youngest—member, proudly lowering the average age of the Board by about a decade and underscoring the importance of service and stewardship at every stage of life. Colin is honored to serve and is committed to helping preserve and share the region’s rich history for future generations.