Ann Elizabeth Slattery Smothers, who dedicated decades of her life to the Old Capitol Museum, died on December 30, 2023. She was 77.

Smothers was the director of the Old Capitol Museum in Iowa City. She directed all aspects of the museum, including facility, program, financial, gift shop and personnel management. Ann joined the museum as assistant director in 1986 and served as acting director for one year beginning in July 1995, before being selected permanent director in June of 1996. She held that position until 2004.

As director, Ann was ambassador for the Old Capitol and the rich state history it represents, bringing in awards, grants, and great recognition for the museum. She was a stalwart champion of the museum during its initial 1970s conservation as a student of Margaret Keyes and a guiding light for the staff and team during the 2001 reconstruction following the fire.

Just weeks before Ann's passing, Pentacrest Museums director Liz Crooks visited Ann, who shared how proud she was of the work staff was doing here today and celebrated the museum's accomplishments. "Her spirit of pride and optimism for both the future of the building and the institution surrounds us every time we step through the doors of the Old Capitol," Crooks said.

Ann's full obituary can be found here.