The Maine State Senate has confirmed Christian Cotz as the new Maine State Archivist. Cotz has served in the position on an interim basis since January 2025. 

“Our vision is a modern Maine State Archives where everyone in Maine – from schoolchild to retiree, no matter who they are or where they live – has easy access to the historical records that define our state,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, in a news release. “Transparency and public access to government records are foundational to our democracy, and given his experience in museums and education, Christian Cotz is the right person to carry that mission forward.” 

Cotz brings 25 years of experience to the role, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of the First Amendment Museum in Augusta. Prior to the First Amendment Museum, Cotz spent 20 years at James Madison’s Montpelier Foundation where he led a team of more than forty staff members focused on education and visitor experience and spear-headed the creation of an award-winning exhibition, The Mere Distinction of Color, which examined the history of slavery, its modern legacies, and the African American experience at Montpelier. 

Cotz has also held consulting roles with the Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment in Freeport, the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, and helped develop the American Association of State and Local History’s Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial. 

“The Archives safeguard more than two centuries of ideas, conversations, decisions, and actions that have made Maine what we know today,” said Christian Cotz. “I am honored to have the Secretary and the Legislature’s trust to ensure the safety and accessibility of the incredible Archives collection on behalf of the people of Maine.” 

The Maine State Archives preserves the permanent historical records of the state and makes them accessible to the public. The Archives is a bureau within the Department of Secretary of State.