Meet the Staff

Patrick J. McKay, Supervisor of Interpretive Services

Pat was raised in Utica, Michigan and graduated with a B.S. in Park Administration from Michigan State University. He earned his Masters Degree in Elementary Education and his teaching certification from Oakland University. Work experiences in Williamsburg, Virginia, the Washington and Michigan State Parks, and in Northern Michigan gave Pat an appreciation for history, education, and the great outdoors. He joined the Museum staff in 1986 and has coordinated interior and exterior renovations of the Farmhouse, acquisition of the Van Hoosen Dairy Barn and the 1850 Red House, numerous exhibits and programs, and has helped coordinate numerous publications on local history.

Pat and his wife Karen have four daughters and live in Rochester Hills.

Danielle Ager – Museum Staff Assistant – Archives
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Danielle Ager grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan and is currently pursuing a degree in Anthropology at Oakland University.  She is active in numerous student organizations and as a volunteer.  Danielle was a costumed interpreter at the Henry Ford and has been to Israel several times working on archaeological dig sites. She completed an internship at the Rochester Hills Museum in 2009 working in our archives and collections and has been a volunteer for many of our major events.  Danielle will oversee our archives and collections and provide staff support for our educational programs.

Michele joins the museum staff after 31 years of teaching for the Rochester Community School District and  2 years at the Troy Museum. She earned her BA and MAT at Oakland University and became an Advanced Master Gardener in 2001. She is a professional gardener who also writes about gardening and teaches Junior Master Gardener classes. She is a member of the Rochester Branch of the National Farm and Garden Association and the Sarah Van Hoosen Jones Questers.

Michele and her husband, Doug, live in Rochester Hills with their 2 dogs. They have 2 adult children, Andrew and Ashley, who introduced Michele to the Rochester Hills Museum many years ago when they visited the Stony Creek Schoolhouse in third grade.

Sue Thomasson, Museum Staff Assistant
Museum Store, Weddings, Finances

Sue was raised in Bloomfield Township and graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Management from Albion College with a concentration in Accounting. After working for Manufacturer's Bank and doing bookkeeping for small businesses, She chose to stay at home and raise her family. During the past 10 years, Sue has been a volunteer within our community schools and various organizations, including the Rochester Hills Museum. Sue joined the Museum staff in October of 2008 and is responsible for bookkeeping, Museum Store, Weddings and Memberships.  

Sue and her husband Scott live in Rochester Hills and have 3 children, all of whom attended day camp at the Museum during elementary school and volunteer here when they can. 

Bill Mansfield, Custodian
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Bill was raised in Clarkston and attended the Northwest Oakland Vocational Education Center where he studied building construction and carpentry. He was a self-employed carpenter before going to work for the National Bank of Detroit. For the next 15 years, he worked in various positions for their Facilities, Maintenance, and Mortgage divisions. He came to the City of Rochester Hills in 2000 where he has worked at City Hall and the Public Safety Building before joining the Museum in 2003.

Bill and his wife Marsha reside in Auburn Hills with their two sons, Adam and Jason. 

Ed LaFave, Groundskeeper