WORCESTER, MASS., April 28, 2015 – The United Bank Foundation Massachusetts announced today that they have awarded $10,000 to the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) in Worcester to support their work to bring the Isaiah Thomas, Patriot Printer original performance and educational program to all fifth grade students in the Worcester Public School System. Isaiah Thomas was the founder of AAS and one of the most important printers in the Revolutionary War period.
Making the check presentation on behalf of the United Bank Foundation Massachusetts to the Worcester’s American Antiquarian Society are from left to right: Jane Loranger (VP, Commercial Banking Officer, United Bank); Tom McGregor (SVP, Regional Commercial Banking Executive, United Bank); Ellen Dunlap (President, American Antiquarian Society), James Moran (Director of Outreach, American Antiquarian Society).
AAS, which delivers programs to the general public, students and teachers, is a learned society and a major independent research Library in Worcester that collects, preserves and makes available the printed record of the United States, from the first European settlement through the year 1876. The AAS library also houses the largest and most accessible collection of books, pamphlets, newspapers, sheet music, periodicals and graphic arts materials printed through 1876 as well as manuscripts, a substantial collection of secondary works, bibliographies and other reference material related to all aspects of American history and culture before the 20th century.
The tour highlights the accomplishments of Thomas, his printing business in Worcester and the period in which he lived during the Revolutionary War. The performance and educational-related resources are designed to be a three- to five day classroom curriculum which consists of the play, facsimiles of documents, transcription of documents, background materials and their historical significance along with a series of learning activities for teachers to use with their students.
“The contribution we’ve made to AAS touches on several key areas of interest our Foundation generously supports, including education, youth programs and cultural programs,” said Dena M. Hall, President of the United Bank Foundation Massachusetts and United Bank’s Western Mass Regional President. “We want to thank AAS for coming to us with the opportunity to raise awareness of the great work of Isaiah Thomas among fifth grade students in Worcester and instilling this interactive programming into the public school curriculum. It will give the students a greater appreciation of this local historic figure as well as the City’s rich history dating back to the Revolutionary War period.”
The program was developed by Massachusetts’ teachers and meets the state and national fifth grade curriculum. Worcester fifth graders already learn about the Revolutionary War between February and May, which coincides with the timing the program tours the schools.
For more information about the United Bank Foundation Massachusetts and the Bank’s charitable giving programs, please visit www.bankatunited.com. To learn more about the American Antiquarian Society of Worcester, go to www.americanantiquarian.org.
About the United Bank Foundation Massachusetts:
The United Bank Foundation Massachusetts was established in 2005 by United Bank as a permanent source of funding for the communities in the Bank’s market area. The Foundation has identified four primary areas that it supports through its quarterly funding cycles, including education; health and human services; youth programs; and cultural programs. Since its inception, the Foundation has granted more than $2.5 million to nonprofits in the communities served by United Bank. For more information on United Bank and the United Bank Foundation Massachusetts, please visit www.bankatunited.com.
About United Bank:
On April 30, 2014, United Bank (established in 1882) and Rockville Bank (established 1858) completed a transformational merger of equals by bringing together two financially strong, independent-minded institutions to create the premier community bank in New England with more than 50 branches in two states and over $5.5 billion in assets. The new United Bank is a state chartered bank headquartered in Glastonbury Conn. with regional offices throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information on United Bank, please visit www.bankatunited.com
