INTRODUCING OUR NEW PRESIDENT, TOM PAGE
Dear Society Friends,
As Vice President of the
Danvers Historical Society I have recently assumed the responsibilities
of President of the Society due to the recent illness and resignation of
the former President Mr. Wayne Eisenhauer. The good news is that Wayne
is on the mend and is slowly improving; our best wishes go out to him
and his family.
I am writing this letter to
you today both as an introduction and as a statement of my goals and
objectives as your new President. My reasons for this are twofold; my
experience in the military and business, and experience as an educator
have proven that we seldom succeed without the help and collaboration of
others. This will be the first in a series on short narratives with
the intent of keeping everyone informed, and at times, to solicit your
advice.
I am a descendant of Colonel
Jeremiah Page who in the summer of 1722 journeyed from his home in
Medford to Old Salem Village to begin his career as a brick maker. His
grandfather and grandmother, John and Phoebe Page were among those many
courageous souls who fled England in 1630 with the fleet of Governor
John Winthrop.
I attended Northeastern
University majoring in political science with a minor in Philosophy. I
left Northeastern to serve in the United States Marine Corps during the
Vietnam Era. Upon completion of this tour of duty I attended Salem
State University on the GI Bill where I was awarded a Bachelor's Degree
in History and Philosophy graduating Cum Laude. I later received a
Master's Degree in Non-Western History where I was selected for
membership in the Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society. For my
support of veteran's affairs at Salem State University, I was awarded
the honor of being listed in the National Jaycee's Who's Who in Small
College America.
I started my business career in the emerging computer industry by
being the founder of Greater Boston Trading Corporation, a technology
import/export company. I finished my business career as CEO of TCW Inc. a
New England based company providing local and wide area network
computer services to Fortune 1000 companies.
For the past 15 years, I served as an adjunct Professor teaching
World History and World Religion at Salem State University and North
Shore Community College. I currently serve
on the Salem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors;
Student Veteran's Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and the Multi
Faith Council.
Present Reality and Short Term Strategy
In
the 21st century, as is the case of many historical societies in New
England, we are experiencing a sociological tsunami where the concerns
for the preservation of our community history are in peril. Since the
American economy is strongly futuristic driven; concerns for the past
are often considered an unproductive nostalgic preoccupation. America's
social indifference to its historical heritage is disturbing.
This
apathetic tendency is apparent when it comes to the financial support
of historical societies across the country; the Danvers Historical
Society (DHS) is just one example in this trend. DHS, established in
1889, as a community driven society is mainly dependent upon
contributions from individuals, families, and local business. For the
past ten years the Society has been struggling to overcome financial
shortfalls at a rate of over $100,000 per year. These significant
shortages over the years have had a disabling effect on our ability to
repair, restore, and protect our buildings from destructive decay and
deterioration. In so many cases these conditions are in their critical
stages.
My
first mission as President of the Danvers Historical Society will be to
personally visit with other public and private organizations, select
business and financial leaders, and academic institutions. I know that
our current Board of Trustee members are very enthusiastic to begin this
campaign of awareness. This campaign for increased awareness will
cultivate and renew the sense of innate pride the Danvers citizenry
possesses for its extraordinary contribution to the birth of our nation.
This
pride is exemplified by the W. Keith Butler and Joan C. Butler Fund
presented to the Danvers Historical in January of 2011 and again in
September of 2015. The Butler family bequeathed a total of $100,000 in
the form of an Irrevocable Trust.
Additionally,
by Peoples United Bank for their recent $10,000 donation to support our
program of "Come Grow With Us: Cultivating Unique Horticultural
Opportunities for Youth With Disabilities" This project provides for
the renovation of the lower greenhouse at Glen Magna Farms to start this
very innovative program. We are indebted to Kevin Noyes and Patrick
Sullivan of the Peoples United Community Foundation of Eastern
Massachusetts.
The
entire Board of Trustees is very grateful to the Butler Family and the
leadership at Peoples United Bank for their help in allowing the Danvers
Historical Society (DHS) to meet its primary mission of 'education' and
'preservation'. These funds provided by the Butler Family and Peoples
United Bank are what is referred to as restricted funds; this
restriction prohibits their use for daily operations of the Society.
For over 125 years, the daily operations of the Society have relied upon
the generosity and the devotion of its membership; this is our primary
challenge.
Now,
in 2016, we are at a crossroad and we need your help! I and my fellow
Trustees will begin this process of awareness; to initiate dialogue of
exchange with current membership and community leaders to encourage
their participation in preserving their historical heritage.
Please Join Us!
Thomas M. Page
President, Danvers Historical Society