Commission to accept Zeidler as consultant

Historic City News reminds our readers that the St. Augustine City Commission will hold a regular meeting today at 5:00 p.m. in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, 75 King St.

The City commission has announced that it will accept an agreement with the Tourist Development Council to hire Jeanne Zeidler as a consultant for St. Augustine’s 450th celebration in 2015.

Zeidler was executive director of Virginia’s “Jamestown’s 400th” anniversary in 2007.

The St. Johns County Commission approved this week to have the TDC pay $20,000 to have Zeidler as the consultant.

Jamestown’s event garnered international attention. It had a $42 million budget over 12 years as well as $100 million in infrastructure improvements.

St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles has said having Zeidler’s expertise will save the city “hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Mayor Jeanne Zeidler

Jeanne Zeidler became the City of Williamsburg’s first female Mayor in July 1998. She was elected to the Williamsburg City Council in 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006 serving as Vice Mayor from 1996-1998, and as Mayor from 1998 to the present time. Prior to her election to City Council, Ms. Zeidler served for four years on the Williamsburg-James City County School Board, including service as both Vice Chair and Chair of the Board. She has served as a Williamsburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority Commissioner, board member of the Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the School Liaison Committee, as well as on other boards and commissions.

Jeanne Zeidler has worked in museums, cultural and educational institutions for over thirty years, including 21 years as director of the Hampton University Museum. She is the author, co-author, or contributor to books, chapters, and articles on history and art, and has served on national advisory committees. Most recently, Ms. Zeidler was the executive director of Jamestown 2007 and chair of the Historic Triangle Jamestown 2007 Host Committee.
Ms. Zeidler is a member of the Williamsburg Rotary Club and was the first woman to hold the office of club president. She is a Life Member of the NAACP, and a member of the Williamsburg Area League of Women Voters. She holds a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin and a M.A. from the College of William and Mary.