Megan Jones

Born: August 1, 1931 Hanover, New Hampshire

I came to Woods Hole with my family in the mid 1930s. Colleagues of my father at Columbia University, who were research scientists at the MBL, recommended Woods Hole as a nice place for us to spend summers. For over 20 years, from the end of May to the end of September we lived on Hyatt Rd. and my earliest memories, from when I was 3 or 4 years old, are walking down the hill to go to the Woods Hole Library.

Professional interests:
I am a political scientist by education and experience I have a BA in political science from Wellesley College and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government (KSG). After graduating from KSG, I was appointed a case writer for Prof. Richard Neustadt and then later a project director that resulted in the publication of a book entitled Informed Legislatures: Coping with Science in a Democracy.

On the state level I served as a legislative aide in the Mass. Legislature where I was responsible for placing a long-overdue memorial to John Adams in Doric Hall in the State House. In appreciation, I was invited to give a talk at the Adams House in Quincy.

I also served as an administrator in the Departments of Environmental and Economic Affairs where I was appointed Director of the Massachusetts Centers of Excellence Corporation (MCEC), a quasi-public agency dedicated to supporting innovative technologies through industry, academic and government partnerships. Both Harlyn Halvorson, former Director of the MBL and John Steele, former director of WHOI, served on MCEC boards.

I was also appointed to the Mass Board of Higher Education and served as a Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of then SMU, now UMass Dartmouth.

On the local level I served for 40 years as an elected town meeting member from Precinct 1, chair of the Town Charter Review Committee, a 50 year member of the League of Women Voters, and senior member of the Democratic Town Committee, among others.

Connection to Woods Hole:
Taking the train from NYC every summer, it was one of my happiest moments to hear the conductor call out the names of the towns as we crossed the bridge ending with "Woods Hole!". Then I knew I was home. I have the distinction of having been in Woods Hole during the 1938 hurricane and watching the tidal wave come up over the Sun Dial.

I attended the Children School of Science (CSS) through all grades as did our children; one of whom, Douglas, is now the CSS administrator. I attended MBL lectures in Lillie auditorium at an early age because I liked the cold stone floors since I went barefoot most of the summer. As an adult, I became a member and Chair of the MBL Associates, and a founding member of the Falmouth Forum and WHSTEP. I also was a guest investigator at WHOI through my work with the Centers of Excellence and WHOI Trustee Lewis Branscomb. I also served on the Woods Hole Library Board of trustees and, with my husband Dick, ran the library book sales for many years. In honor of two of our founding fathers, I recently presented a program of selected letters that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson wrote to each other after they retired from public life. To a standing room audience, my husband Dick represented Adams, our son Douglas, Jefferson, and I served as moderator. We were delighted with the enthusiastic response and hope to have it broadcast over FCTV in the future.

Present Residence:
For the last 55 years we have lived on Siders Pond Rd in Falmouth . We also own Dick's family house on Quissett Ave, which is used by our sons and their families.