Diane Matuck - 2016

Back in the earliest days of the museum (of what you see today at 12 Crane Street), there were no space for displays. Items were sadly living in boxes – in an unheated attic – in the Universalist Church on Main Street in Southbridge. Much of the collection consisted of artifacts from the original AO Museum at the company headquarters on Mechanic Street, saved from the dumpster by Mr. Whitney.  Shoved away from public view above Mr. Whitney’s office on Main Street. Simply no place for the wonderful collection now on display.

Diane quickly began promoting the museum to the local community with the aim of restoring the collection but soon realized the need for something physical to be shared. This prompted a museum revolution – a digitization of AO magazines and publications dating back to 1884. Any restored article, image, artwork, or document came from Diane’s meticulous scanning process, helping the museum to launch a website, social media, a series of vintage stories, and countless special exhibits. Arguably one of the most significant actions in the museum’s history and a permanent legacy of Diane’s dedication – on file for endless generations.

Another of Diane’s key involvements was convincing the Opticians Association of Massachusetts (OAM) Board to shift their annual conference to Southbridge in 2010. Recognizing that the Southbridge Hotel was the original American Optical Co main plant, it represented the most significant location of optical history in Massachusetts – the perfect location for the OAM annual meeting. Diane was quick to itemize potential displays and outline a unique optical story which the OAM not only understood but loved so much they decided to return every year to date. Diane was so integral to the success of the 2010 conference, she was given the prestigious OAM Optician of the Year and Dick Whitney received the OAM Presidents Award. In 2018, she received the highest honor, the OAM Infinity Lifetime Achievement Award for all her accomplishments dedicated to opticianry in Massachusetts.

The yearly return of the OAM became a vital moment in the museum’s history, securing an ongoing stream of promotion and financial support, which in turn, helped the museum to relocate from boxes into displays you see today. This was significant as it was not until 2013 when the museum obtained funding from ZEISS, making Diane’s work a living reality.

To support the museum’s 2013 grand opening at Crane Street, Diane worked with then curator, Donna Silverberg, to create a series of displays retelling the story of Optics in American History. The opening was first celebrated by the OAM for their November 2013 conference, but Diane’s work didn’t stop with the displays. She recognized the importance of having museum governance and became a founding board member, securing an ongoing strategy and direction for all future museum activities.

Diane continued to ensure each OAM meeting was different for the returning group. By 2016, she coordinated a special screening of the newly filmed “Sight: the story of vision” documentary, with special guests in attendance which included producers, David Fleishman and Mark Mattison-Shupnick and Film Director, Kris Koenig. Both producers had a long history with the Optical Heritage Museum with several scenes being filmed at the museum itself.

The documentary, narrated by Sir Elton John – a glasses enthusiast in his own right, has since been acclaimed by many in the optical industry. To many of the OAM, this special screening was the first time seeing the documentary, a fitting location for their premier screening and another successful meeting.

While continuously updating displays and curating stories, Diane researched and wrote a detailed history of the American Optical Company which was provided to visitors upon entry, helping to immerse themselves in the story. The history of the American Optical Company has now been made available on our website. 

Another of Diane’s key involvements was the pivotal role she played in the planning and execution of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Lensometer Landmark Celebration, held in March 2023. Receiving a Landmark Status in no small feat and the museum celebrated by hosting an evening dinner and ceremony, inviting esteemed members of the Optical Industry to celebrate. Diane and the museum team worked tirelessly to bring the museum to life in an immersive light show – an event on a scale the museum had never achieved previously.

In November 2023, her most recent OAM conference and the 10th year of OAM return visits to Crane Street, Diane was honored by OAM Executive Director, Blair Wong, for her lasting contributions to the optical industry. A perfect way to end her time as board member.

Although now retired from the board, Diane still plans to continue supporting the museum and offer guidance where needed. The museum is certainly grateful for her dedication, effort, guidance, and stewardship, helping grow the museum into the offering we have today.

From all of us at the museum, we thank you for our outstanding service and look forward to everything the future holds for you.

Thank you, Diane,

Board Member. Visionary. Friend.