June 2025 marks a truly special occasion as we celebrate a decade of leadership from Marieke Van Damme as the Executive Director of History Cambridge. Since June 2015, Marieke has steered our organization with vision, dedication, and a deep commitment to preserving and sharing Cambridge’s rich history.
We had a wonderful time celebrating this significant milestone at the beautiful home of the Ferrara family. Our sincerest thanks go out to Jan and Joe for their incredible hospitality in hosting such a memorable event.
The evening featured heartfelt speeches from various speakers, all highlighting the organization’s impact and Marieke’s contributions. Bruce Irving, a long-time board member, shared reflections on History Cambridge’s journey and growth, while Amy Devin, Board President, spoke to the organization’s ongoing leadership and vital role. We were also honored to have Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem present a special Resolution on behalf of Councilor Patty Nolan from the Cambridge City Council, congratulating Marieke on her decade of service. Marieke emphasized the strong partnerships History Cambridge has forged within the community and expressing her gratitude to our dedicated board and hardworking coworkers who make our work possible.
As we look to the future, we’re thrilled to announce the Continuum Fund. This new initiative will help ensure that History Cambridge can continue its vital work for many years to come, building upon the strong foundation of community engagement and social cohesion we’ve established.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this significant moment for History Cambridge and Marieke’s remarkable 10 years. Here’s to many more years of preserving and sharing Cambridge’s stories!
Photos by Eric Workman. Thank you, Eric!
Special thanks to City Councilor Patty Nolan for facilitating the below resolution.
Resolution from the Cambridge City Council
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that History Cambridge is honoring Marieke Van Damme on her 10th anniversary with the organization at an event on June 6, 2025; and
WHEREAS: Marieke Van Damme, who has served as the Executive Director of History Cambridge, a local nonprofit dedicated to public history, for the past ten years, is being recognized for her outstanding leadership and service; and
WHEREAS: Marieke has brought professional excellence to her role and a deep personal commitment to the community she calls home, and under her visionary leadership, the organization has thrived: growing in reach, relevance, and impact; and
WHEREAS: Most notably, Marieke has led a transformative shift in the organization’s focus, guiding it toward neighborhood-based programming that highlights the rich, diverse histories embedded in every corner of the city ; and this community-centric approach has flourished in recent years, making local history more accessible, meaningful, and engaging for residents of all ages and backgrounds; and
WHEREAS: Under Marieke’s leadership History Cambridge has put forth groundbreaking exhibits on the enslaved people who built houses on Brattle Street, known as Tory Row during Revolutionary Times, and a visionary exhibit featuring Cambridge Caribbean connections, a collaboration with the nonprofit Black Coral, featuring artist and Cambridge native Pam Goncalves; and
WHEREAS: Colleagues and community members alike know Marieke as a dynamic force: kind, funny, collaborative, and forward-thinking ; and she has a unique ability to bring people together and foster partnerships that strengthen the city’s cultural fabric; and
WHEREAS: In honoring her decade of service, this proclamation celebrates not only a milestone of leadership, but also a legacy of passion, innovation, and deep civic love ; the City of Cambridge is stronger, more connected, and more aware of its own rich story because of her work; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record congratulating Marieke Van Damme in recognition of a decade of outstanding leadership and service; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Marieke Van Damme on behalf of the entire City Council. In City Council June 2, 2025. Adopted by the affirmative vote of nine members. Attest:- Diane P. LeBlanc, City Clerk.