Old State House Museum Sees Big Leadership Shakeup

The director of the Old State House Museum, Daniel Cockrell, was let go early this week. He says he was told the museum was “going in a different direction” and that paperwork needed his signature. When he asked if he would be moved to another role, the answer was clear: no, you’re being terminated. Earlier in the year, another key staff member, Georganne Sisco, who ran education programs at the museum, was also dismissed. The reasons for her firing remain undisclosed and she could not be reached for comment. The department’s communications chief confirmed that both Cockrell and Sisco are no longer on the museum’s payroll. She added that Laura McClellan will serve as interim director, but she could not share further details about the personnel changes. Cockrell, who is 51, said he was given reasons for his dismissal but chose not to reveal them. He expressed disappointment yet maintained a respectful tone, noting that he had always understood his position was at the governor’s discretion. “I think I did a damn fine job, ” he said, adding that he is proud of his service.He highlighted that a few staff members appointed by the previous governor survived the transition to Governor Sarah Sanders in January. He noted that his appointment under former Gov. Asa Hutchinson might have made him a target for removal. Cockrell recounted how the division’s leaders approached him in March with Sisco’s termination paperwork. He had to bring her into the meeting, a task he described as uncomfortable because she was a long‑time friend and colleague. The Arkansas Times has requested the personnel files of those affected through a Freedom of Information Act request, seeking greater transparency. Before becoming director in 2022, Cockrell spent over two decades working at the museum as a youth and adult education coordinator. He began his career teaching history in junior high, coaching sports, and later pursued a master’s degree at the University of Central Arkansas. His passion for Arkansas history has guided his professional life, from guiding tours to shaping museum programs. The Old State House, originally built as the state capitol in 1833, became a museum in 1947. Its walls have witnessed the evolution of Arkansas, and now its leadership is undergoing a significant shift.