About Diana

Diana Thorpe is an award winning artist, museum curator, and passionate advocate for historic preservation. Before retiring, she served as Division Director of a large state agency, overseeing multi-million-dollar projects with strategic precision. In addition to her distinguished career in public service, Diana is an award-winning watercolor artist, with her works featured in collections across the Southeast, including Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems. She is a Signature Member of the Virginia Watercolor Society and remains dedicated to supporting the arts and cultural preservation.

As Museum Curator at MacCallum More, Diana has played a key role in revitalizing the museum’s exhibits, curating new collections, and ensuring the preservation of its artifacts. Her leadership has resulted in major conservation projects, including the restoration of historic portraits and the installation of new permanent exhibits.

Diana is also a published author, having privately written and printed MacCallum More Museum & Gardens: A History during the COVID epidemic. She generously donated all proceeds from the book to MMMG, ensuring that its rich legacy, artifacts, and fascinating history remain accessible for future generations. The book is now in its second edition, continuing to preserve and share the museum’s story.

Connection to MacCallum More

Diana’s role at MacCallum More Museum & Gardens is deeply rooted in her love for history, art, and cultural preservation. She is passionate about sharing the legacy of the Hudgins family, the unique collection of artifacts, and the globally inspired design of the gardens.

Favorite Aspects of MacCallum More

🌿 Favorite Garden Spot: The Lion Fountain—modeled after the original 1300s marble fountain in Spain’s Alhambra. The twelve lions supporting the fountain are both stunning and historically significant, representing a blend of art, function, and innovation.

🗿 Favorite Statue or Sculpture: The Samurai Warrior (c. 1890) a three-quarter scale bronze figure from the Meiji period (1868-1912). The craftsmanship is breathtaking, revealing new details upon every viewing.

🪶 Favorite Native American Artifact: The Clovis Points—exquisite examples of craftsmanship, demonstrating that their makers were true artists, not just toolmakers.

📜 Favorite Historic Feature: Everything! From the family’s deep Virginia history to the carefully curated garden rooms designed around global artifacts and reclaimed materials. Arthur Robertson’s archaeological collection, preserved by William H. Hudgins, makes MacCallum More truly distinctive among Virginia’s historic sites.

🎉 Most Memorable MacCallum More Experience: Hearing a visitor say that the MacCallum More Museum was the best small-town museum she had seen—and that we could set the standard for others.

Diana’s MacCallum More LOVE Story

❤️ The serenity of the Gardens. One June morning, as a photographer took photos in the Gardens, the sun had just risen, and the birds were singing—it was almost spiritual. We spoke in whispers, moved by the beauty of the place. To think that one person’s vision created this haven and then willed it to others to enjoy made me fall in love with the Gardens all over again.

Exciting Projects & Initiatives

Diana has spearheaded numerous restoration and exhibit enhancement projects at the museum, ensuring that MacCallum More remains a cultural and educational beacon. Her latest achievements include:

• Restoring historic portraits and original frames – Made possible through generous donations from members, patrons, and descendents of George and Narcissa Endly.
• Upgrading museum lighting to preserve artwork – This vital improvement was also supported by contributions from MacCallum More’s dedicated members and the Lake Country Artisans Guild.
• Curating the new permanent exhibit: TOBACCO: From Ritual to Big Business
• Securing a partnership with artist Eldridge Bagley to feature his work annually in the Museum’s Samurai Gallery
• Publishing the second edition of her book, MacCallum More Museum & Gardens: A History, in 2025

At MacCallum More, you’ll usually find me…

Curating exhibits, preserving history, and sharing the incredible stories behind our collections.

🔗 Learn more about our leadership team