The Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, has announced a $2.5 million gift from Jane and Robert Keiter to establish an endowment for the museum’s directorship. 

The first endowed position at the Emily Dickinson Museum, which reopened to the public in August after a two-year pandemic closure and completion of a major restoration of the poet’s home, will be named after the Keiters. Robert Keiter is an alumnus of Amherst College, which owns the museum, where he also serves on the board.

“This gift is another example of the Keiters’ tremendous support of the Emily Dickinson Museum,” said executive director Jane Wald, who will be the first to serve in the newly endowed position. “Jane and Bob have been leaders in several outstanding initiatives at the museum over the last decade, and we are thrilled to be able to honor their ongoing commitment in such a permanent and public way. Their generosity and understanding of the importance of such gifts for the growth and future sustainability of the museum is tremendous in and of itself and as an example to others.”

(Photo credit: Emily Dickinson Museum)