Salem Parks and Recreation to Honor Gordon’s Contributions to City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2010
 
MEDIA CONTACT
Jo Kadlecek
Office of College Communications
978.867.4752
[email protected]
 
WENHAM, MA—When Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll held her second inauguration in Old Town Hall, she knew she was in a special building. In fact, as she said in her January 4 inauguration speech, “A rebirth in progress, this once overlooked building has come alive with a robust lecture, class and performance schedule by Gordon College.”
 
She was referring to Gordon College’s Institute for Public History that oversees programs and renovations at both Old Town Hall and Pioneer Village. Others in the city have also acknowledged Gordon’s work and on Wednesday, January 27 at 7 p.m. at the Salem Senior Center, the City of Salem’s Department of Parks and Recreation will publically honor Gordon for its “Outstanding Contribution to the Park and Recreation Department in 2009.”
 
“Gordon’s contributions towards Pioneer Village not only improve the park and recreation department, but also enhance the quality of life in Salem,” said Doug Bollen, director of park, recreation and community services. “We wanted to recognize Gordon College in a public forum.”
 
The third annual awards night ceremony is scheduled to acknowledge the many contributions various organizations make to the community. Bollen recognized Gordon specifically for its official supervision of the Pioneer Village site, America’s first living history museum which sits on three acres of land and contains various examples of colonial architecture: dugouts, wigwams, thatched roof cottages, and the Governor’s Faire House. Culinary and medicinal gardens, a saw pit and a blacksmith shop further interpret early 17th-century colonial life, part of the Institute for Public History’s vision to introduce students and residents alike to Salem’s “living history.”

“We’ve long appreciated the many ways the City supports and affirms our partnership,” said Dr. Cliff Hersey, dean for global education and the Institute for Public History. “This recognition is an honor as well. We’re grateful for the opportunity to work together in providing visible and exciting programs that help keep Salem’s history alive.”

For more information on the Institute for Public History, please visit http://www.gordon.edu/public-history.

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