MARY CSAR

MARY CSAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BOCA RATON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Thank You, MARY CSAR! We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mary Csar, beloved member of St. Gregory’s, for her unwavering support of the Boca Raton Historical Society. For nearly 30 years, Mary Csar has been a dedicated steward of our city’s history, ensuring that Boca Raton’s stories and heritage are preserved for generations to come. As Executive Director of the Boca Raton Historical Society, Csar is retiring after 27 years. “I wanted to get through the centennial,” she says. “This is an important year. It was also a capstone of a career.”



It all started when Anne Merrill, the former executive director of the society, invited Csar to a membership tea at the home of Jamie Snyder, who would found the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Csar joined the society and never looked back. She also joined the Junior League of Boca Raton (eventually serving as president), served on the Downtown Advisory Committee, and worked at the CRA. This was all during a period of change in Boca Raton—there was a new development in the works for a place called Mizner Park, and residents were vehemently split on the plans. “I was taking the notes at the meeting when they decided to call it Mizner Park,” she remembers. “It was an interesting time.”

For four years, Csar worked at the National Cartoon Museum. Then, she was hired part-time by the historical society as it prepared to celebrate its 25th anniversary. When the director left in 1999, Csar was selected to take over. At the time, she was the only full-time staff member; she worked alongside a part-time office manager and facilities manager and a volunteer archivist. The society is still a small and mighty team, but now with five full-time employees.

Csar led the BRHS through the sale of the old train depot for $2.1 million; those earnings went toward a major renovation project. Then came the $1 million donation from the Schmidt Family Foundation—the largest in the society’s history. The funds created the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum, and the donation also allowed for new display areas, exhibits, and the utilization of the historic council chamber as a gathering space and a research library. The new digs were ready in time for an important milestone: the 100th anniversary of Boca Raton’s incorporation. For the last two years, the society has worked with the city to prepare while also fielding countless queries from local and regional media. Even with a small team, they were able to nimbly satisfy photo and information requests; Csar credits her colleague, curator Sue Gillis, for spending a decade archiving and organizing the museum’s photographs and artifacts.

As Mary retires, we celebrate her incredible contributions and wish her all the very best in this next chapter. Congratulations Mary! Your legacy will continue to inspire us all!

Blessings,

Robyn +

The Rev. Robyn M. Neville, PhD.

Senior Associate Rector