"Cheers" to Thomas A. Kershaw

Thomas A. Kershaw is presented with the Theodore L. Storer Memorial Award

BOSTON – Thomas A. Kershaw, chairman and owner of the Hampshire House Corporation, was presented with the Theodore L. Storer Memorial Award from the Boston Minuteman Council at the Salute to Scouting Dinner on Wednesday, May 28th.

The Theodore L. Storer Memorial Award honors the memory of an outstanding leader and former Chairman of R.M. Bradley. Storer’s long interest in the welfare of others, particularly the Boy Scouts of America, caused him to raise extraordinary corporate support on its behalf. The Storer Award singles out men and women in Boston who have performed service to the public and their communities in the same fine tradition and commitment of the man for whom the award is named.

Already an entrepreneur, business man, and community leader, Kershaw is also a Distinguished Eagle Scout. After graduating from Swarthmore College with a degree in mechanical engineering and the Harvard Business School, Tom entered the high tech world for several years. In 1969 Kershaw and a partner purchased the Hampshire House property. Immediately after, Kershaw installed the authentic English-style Bull & Finch Pub (now known as Cheers) in the basement of the property. In 1982, Hollywood came to Boston and chose Kershaw’s distinctive pub for the inspiration for the setting of the TV series Cheers. His other Hampshire House restaurants include 75 Chestnut (1997), Cheers Faneuil Hall (2001), and Sam’s Café (2002).

President Bush appointed Mr. Kershaw to the Board of the United States Travel and Tourism Administration in 1989. He served until that organization was dissolved in 1996. He also served as the Chairman of the Technology Committee of the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, which was held in 1996. He served on the Executive Committee, otherwise known as the Policy Committee of the Travel Business Roundtable. He served on the executive Committee of the United States National Tourism Organization and the Executive Committee of the Travel Industry Association of America.

Over the years, Kershaw has received numerous awards and distinctions recognizing his contributions to the community and his industry. Those awards include: Restaurateur of the Year from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, Humanitarian of the Year from Project Triangle, Massachusetts Tourism Leadership Award, the Boston Patriot Award from the Freedom Trail Foundation and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award given by the Boston Minuteman Council Boy Scouts of America. He was inducted into the Travel Industry Hall of Leaders by the Travel Industry Association of America, the Hospitality Hall of Fame by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and was given an Honorary Doctorate degree from Johnson & Wales University.

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Thomas A. Kershaw receives the Bunker Hill Community College President's Distinguished Service Award

BOSTON –Thomas A. Kershaw, chairman and owner of the Hampshire House Corporation, received the Bunker Hill Community College President's Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his extraordinary commitment and service to the College at the its 34rd Commencement Exercise on Saturday, May 31st.

As a founding member of the Bunker Hill Community College Foundation Board, Kershaw has graciously hosted the College’s principal annual fundraiser at the Hampshire House for the past 18 years. Every year ‘An Evening at the Hampshire House’ raises funds that provide scholarships, textbook assistance and cultural programs for BHCC students. The occasion also provides Bunker Hill Community College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality students the opportunity to work alongside the Hampshire House’s renowned executive chefs to prepare and serve food for the event, putting into practice what they learned in the classroom.

This year, with Kershaw’s support, ‘An Evening at the Hampshire House’ kicked off fundraising for Bunker Hill Community College’s new Health and Wellness Center, a major initiative that will enhance the College’s capacity to meet workforce needs in Greater Boston’s healthcare industry.
In recognition of Kershaw’s generous support, the Bunker Hill Community College Foundation created the Thomas A. Kershaw Scholarship, awarding it each year to an outstanding student in the Culinary Arts or Hospitality program. Last year, the College named its dining room the ‘Thomas A. Kershaw Culinary Arts Dining Room’ in his honor.

In addition to his service on the Bunker Hill Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Kershaw also served on the Bunker Hill Community College Board of Trustees. As a Trustee, Kershaw played a key role in garnering the support that helped make the new Health and Wellness Center a reality.