2019 in Review

It was an eventful year at NBSS in 2019! Let’s look back at just some of the year’s highlights we shared on social media.

January

We shared a story about veteran Hollis Webb and his NBSS journey through our Preservation Carpentry program that was widely read and featured on television station WHDH. That month, our blog post, “What If There Were No Skilled Workers?” proved especially thought-provoking for our community on social media.

February

Callie Crossley, host of WGBH’s Under the Radar, paid new NBSS President Sarah Turner and President Emeritus Miguel Gómez-Ibáñez a visit to discuss what lies ahead for NBSS.

March

We are very proud of our Violin Making and Repair program. As one of only five in the country, it’s not your average school offering. NBC 10 Boston paid us a visit to interview our luthiers and admire their fine craftsmanship.

April

It is so exciting to watch our students spread their wings. In April we profiled Aspen Golann CF ’19, who is already making her mark on the furniture making field.

May

In May, we celebrated the publication of Rewarding Work: A History of Boston’s North Bennet Street School. We are proud of our history, our culture of innovation and the leaders who have shared our founder’s vision to make life better for young men and women.

June

Many of our alumni have gone on to have a tremendous impact on their respective fields. In June, we recognized Consuela “Chela” Metzger BB ’93 as this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for her contributions to book conservation and training the next generation.

July

Every NBSS student represents a unique story. In July, we shared the unusual career path of Emily Scott Surette JM ’07 who went from a corporate career to jewelry artisan whose creations are coveted by A-list celebrities.

August

We came to the rescue of a homeowner who wanted to restore an historic stone cottage originally built by a World War I general. Then, we shared the story, including how we brought back the beauty of its oversized wooden door and overcame the challenge of the missing key.

September

We are privileged to partner with a number of schools and organizations on major exhibits. NBSS alumna Ellen Kaspern CF ’03 recreated a book press from 1710 and we were invited to submit our “must read” books for the Boston Athenaeum’s “Required Reading: Reimagining a Colonial Library” exhibition.

October

Keeping it in the family. Daughter of a boat restorer and Marine Corps veteran, Abbie Smith CF ’19 and her husband, Tim both pursued an NBSS education after their service. In October, we profiled Abbie and her successful custom furniture business.

November

We can thank NBSS Board member Nick Offerman for alumnus Kyle Bernard PC ’16. Kyle, a Navy veteran, was poised for a legal career, but changed his mind after hearing Nick talk about the School. In November, we profiled Kyle and his life as a preservation carpenter.

December

We love it when artisans let their imagination soar. The Garden at Winterthur Museum, one of the nation’s premier American decorative arts museums, featured the work of NBSS alumnus Rob McKeown CF ’88 in their exhibit of fanciful architectural structures (called “follies”).