CCHS Welcomes New Executive Director

Thomlin Swan (they/he) is a theatre artist, community development specialist, and novice historian with 15 years experience in nonprofit leadership and administration. 

Originally from New York City, Thomlin began connecting with the Great Lakes region in 2016 with an outdoor folk opera about environmental grief called The Wastelands. From 2016-2020, Thomlin and their partner, Gus Ganley, conducted documentary filming about water shut offs, water poisoning, and wetland destruction in designated areas of concern (AOCs), eventually leading them to move to Nahgahchiwanong (Fond du Lac Reservation) in 2021. Since moving here, Thomlin has produced several original theatre productions to highlight hidden histories of Cloquet and Duluth, including a shadow puppet show called Land of Stories about Indian boarding schools. From 2023-2026, Thomlin led creative placemaking efforts in Duluth through Zeitgeist Arts & Community, which included oral history and story-map projects about the historic Hillside neighborhood. Thomlin is deeply committed to using the arts and storytelling to inspire empathy and action for a just, inclusive, and caring world. 

Thomlin is honored to be stewarding the Carlton County Historical Society as Executive Director alongside a remarkable team of staff, board members, and volunteers. In addition to their work at CCHS, Thomlin co-directs a Great Lakes-wide storying collective called Emergent Seas and manages a community art space in Duluth called Waterstop Infoshop. 

Thomlin and Gus live in Cloquet with their two rambunctious children, Saoirse and Ruah. Thomlin’s favorite part about living here is getting to know people’s intimate stories about this place and connecting with Gitchigami Ziibi/the St. Louis River through all seasons.