Morris spent about 22 years moving around between museums all over the country.

“I began in Michigan, where I’m from. A friend of mine needed some help in a Space and Science Museum near Detroit, and I started working with him. I ended up being the director of that museum within a few years,” said Morris. “Then I went out west to Oregon and I was the education director at the Evergreen Air and Space Museum. I was there for almost eight years. Then did a couple of short stints at some smaller museums.”

Morris said he started to get tired of moving around so often.

“This opportunity presented itself and I’m very happy here thus far. It’s a grand museum with a lot of potential. It’s kind of nice, it’s like getting a chance to start a museum from scratch as far as new events and education opportunities. So it’s rather exciting,” he said.

Before Morris got involved with museums, he was a television cameraman for NBC for 15 years.

Morris said he’s always had a love for history.

“I’m a big, big history buff and I always have been. That really drives me to learn more about the history at different museums, each one is unique. This one’s really grand, especially with the opportunities for the local history,” he said. “That’s really kind of what nailed it for me was the history in Fort Dodge because I’m a big history buff when it comes to the Civil War and World War II. In fact, I’m a reenactor for World War II and World War I. I used to do Civil War when I was a little younger. So that really presents itself as a great opportunity for me to be still involved in Civil War history and pre-Civil War history.”

Morris said he didn’t have any prior connection to Fort Dodge before moving here about two months ago but he feels very welcomed.

“Everyone I have met has been very accommodating and very friendly. I was just telling my wife the other day when I was talking to her, I said I’ve really never gone cold into a community and been accepted so quickly as I have here. So it’s really nice and I think we’ll make a nice home here,” he said.

Morris said he’s excited about the programming going on already and he has more plans for expansion.

“Well, we’re having our bingo twice a week. Monday and Thursday. We have The Whitesidewalls coming on New Year’s Eve and that’s going to be a really great show. Still got a few tickets left but they’re going fast. And then we’re gearing up for of course Frontier Days,” he said.

Morris mentioned that they are putting together a committee for Frontier Days and anyone from the community is welcome to call him at the museum if they’re interested in joining.

“We do want to expand our education programs, and teachers can watch our Facebook and our website for those. Those will be published probably within the next six weeks. Also we’re going to begin an outreach program where if students cannot come to us, we will come to the classroom,” Morris said.

There will be a meet-and-greet event for the community to come out and talk to Morris from 5:30 to7:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2022, at the Fort Museum Opera House located at 1 Museum Road.