Wilmington's 40 Under 40 Class of 2022: Christine Lamberton
Age: 38
Birthplace: Deauville, France (Normandy, France)
Employer: Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens/NSCDA-NC
Job title: Museum Director
Family: Husband, Jason, and two children
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History from East Carolina University, and a Master of Arts in History from UNCW, with a concentration in Public History.
What community and professional groups are you affiliated with? I’m on the board of directors of the Cape Fear Revolutionary War Round Table and a member of the American Alliance of Museums.
What are your guiding principles? Collaboration, respect, flexibility, and balance both in your personal and professional life. Chief among them, especially in a small nonprofit, is a healthy work-life balance and flexibility. My staff and I wear many hats, which can be both exciting and exhausting. It’s so important to continuously assess your boundaries as an organization, a director, and an employee so you can continue achieving success without compromising anyone’s well-being.
How do you volunteer your time in the community? I volunteer regularly at the Diaper Bank of NC- Lower Cape Fear with the BWH staff. Also assist at Moores Creek and Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson when needed.
Who has helped you achieve success in your life and career? Countless people have contributed directly and indirectly to my success in both my professional and personal life, chief among them are my husband, Jason, and my parents Michele and Jean-Paul Jamet who support me on the home front, and my mentors and colleagues Madeline Flagler, Joy Allen, Hunter Ingram and Allayna Dail.
What goal would you like to accomplish before turning 40? Fine tune the current historic house model that we employ at the Burgwin-Wright House to ensure the museum continues to strive for excellence in regard to interpretation, serving the Wilmington community, and bridging the gap between history and the public well beyond my tenure there. Also, I’d love to have my school loans paid off!
What's your favorite book? “Big Fish” by Daniel Wallace. It’s a reminder that if you choose to love someone, then you need to accept them for who they are, not what you wish them to be (within reason!).
What are your hobbies? I love to travel, read, visit museums and historic sites.
What's your most prized possession? Family pictures, especially my children’s baby books.
If you had a theme song for your life, what would it be? “Could Have Been Me” by the Struts.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington's 40 Under 40: Christine Lamberton, museum director
