George Hawthorn is the museum’s longest serving volunteer and is known to the WMODA team as the “voluntold” as he is the husband of our director, Louise Irvine. Ten years ago he thought he was retiring to Miami Beach but Louise had other ideas! He helps with editing, proof-reading and image processing and he has read every one of the 300 plus Highlights articles written by Louise.

George was born in Glasgow, Scotland where he studied zoology at university. After his post-graduate research, he joined the British Antarctic Survey and spent a record three years as a scientist on Signy Island. He dived under the ice to investigate protozoa and helped document the penguin population. While Base Commander with BAS, he decided on a change of career to work more closely with people and retrained as a probation officer at the London School of Economics when he returned to Britain. After a successful career in juvenile justice, he took early retirement to support Louise in her new role in Florida.

George wears many hats at WMODA and helps with photography, videography, installations, and data management. He introduced a QR labeling system for the exhibits so that visitors can learn more by scanning the code with their smartphones. George kept us all entertained during lockdown with his crazy sense of humor and stories of what the exhibits were up to at night in the museum. Many visitors have enjoyed meeting George at special events and private viewings, where he is often serving behind the bar. Thank you George for your amazing commitment to the success of WMODA.

A Night at the Museum