Legacy of Impact: A Transformational Gift From Tami Nason for East House
Growing up in a 17th-century home full of antiques and raised by parents who were passionate about both environmental protection and historic preservation, Tami Nason has been shaped by impactful legacies for much of her life.
From Boston, Massachusetts to Bethlehem, New Hampshire, Tami Nason has taken great care to preserve and honor her family’s conservation legacy with her own philanthropic efforts. Her most recent gift to Canterbury Shaker Village to fully preserve the East House, however, marks a new direction for the philanthropist as she charts her own course. “Not having children of my own, I hope that philanthropy will be my legacy,” said Nason earlier this year at the Village.
Nason has spent significant time in the non-profit world, supporting a wide range of organizations. Over the years, she has served on various boards, including the Boston Celebrity Series, Horizons for Homeless Children, the New Hampshire Advisory Board of the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), and the Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem, one of the oldest continuously operated theaters in the country.
It’s clear that Nason did not fall far from her family tree. The Nason family has been active stewards in its communities since the 1960s. Benjamin Nason, Tami’s father, founded the CLF in 1966, uniting conservation principles with the practical tools of lawyers that could succeed in a courtroom. Almost sixty years later, CLF now boasts offices throughout New England, helping to enforce environmental protections. Similarly, Tami’s mother Rita instilled a deep appreciation for wildlife and the sanctity of nature in Tami and her two siblings.
When her parents passed a couple of years ago, Nason sought to honor them with gifts to resonant causes, both for their individual legacies and for that of her family. She established a fund at CLF in her parents’ memory; she hopes that her nephews and niece will continue the family’s work within the organization. Also, for her mother, she invested in the rebuilding of the northern headquarters of The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
Nason has always found philanthropic work as an additive to her family’s legacy. But where previous gifts have been in memory of others, recent introspection has her thinking about what’s important to her personally. “My husband passed away, I don’t have children, my parents are gone. My little arm of my family tree stops with me. … Philanthropy is my way of hoping my time here on earth is remembered,” said Nason.
Her ties to Canterbury Shaker Village speak to the deep familial bonds forged on these special grounds. She has fond memories of touring the historic buildings and herb gardens in the summertime, but it was the sanctuary that the Village provided in processing the trauma of September 11th that left the greatest impression. “The next morning, I drove straight to my parents who were living outside of Concord. It was a blue bird day and the three of us came over here to Canterbury Shaker Village. It is difficulty to describe the juxtaposition of the horror of the day before with this idyllic place. The Village provided a most peaceful escape,” said Nason.
In July, Nason was approached about preserving the East House at the Village, one of the oldest dwellings on the property, with it primarily used as a dormitory and school for girls, many of them orphans. “I liked that the East House housed children. The idea that the Shakers brought children into their community at a time adoption agencies didn’t exist on a large scale is fascinating. I was captivated by the history of East House and felt it was a shame that it is not generally open to the public.
With Nason’s transformational gift, and a recently awarded New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) grant, the Village will fully preserve the East House. Tami’s generosity will also enable the museum to create a new exhibit that tells the story of the Canterbury Shakers raising and educating children here, expanding public interpretation in a meaningful way. Additionally, Nason has provided a reserve fund to ensure continued preservation maintenance of this important building long into the future. Through her generosity, she has created her legacy by helping preserve, interpret and perpetuate the good work of the Canterbury Shakers in caring for others.
For Nason, another important aspect of Canterbury Shaker Village is that it conserves nearly 700 acres of land. “Since land preservation is a philanthropic goal of mine, I value the fact that there is so much land being preserved by the Village,” said Nason. She is excited to continue acting on values that are important to her legacy. For Nason, philanthropic work means identifying your interests and values and then being prepared to act on opportunities as they arise. She encourages others to do the same.
“I contribute to organizations which speak to my passions and where I think I can have a meaningful impact. I would encourage anyone to find things they are passionate about and meaningful in their lives. I have chosen Canterbury Shaker Village because it has had a profound impact on my life – with respect to family memories, to what the Shaker community stood for, including its commitment to perpetuating a society that treated men and women equitably, and to the Shakers’ many contributions to the world, including their inventive spirit,” said Nason.
Tami’s branch of the family tree may indeed end with her, but her legacy of purposeful giving and communal care is only starting to grow. She’s using her philanthropic spirit to ensure that her branch on the family tree is full of buds that will flower for generations to come.
About Canterbury Shaker Village
Canterbury Shaker Village is a nonprofit-owned National Historic Landmark district featuring 25 restored Shaker buildings in their historic setting of 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, and mill ponds. In addition to museum tours, exhibits, and programs, the preserved Shaker village provides a beautiful, relaxing, and inspiring environment for recreation, learning, reflection, and renewal of the human spirit.
Canterbury Shaker Village is a member of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions in New Hampshire. For more information about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.