Massachusetts Lodging
Association Award 2006
Vineyard Haven, MA February 1, 2007
Contact: Christy Park,
Christy@mvy.com
The Mansion House Inn,
Health Club, and Spa in Vineyard Haven, MA, has been awarded the
Massachusetts Lodging Association’s 2006 Community Service Award.
The Mansion House Inn was nominated by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber
of Commerce, and received the Community Service Award at the
Massachusetts Lodging Association (MLA) 11th Annual Stars of the
Industry event on January 31, 2007, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in
Boston. The MLA is a trade association representing and promoting
the lodging industry in Massachusetts. The award was accepted by
Nili Beth Goldstein, daughter of proprietors Sherman and Susan
Goldstein. The Community Service award recognizes the Mansion House
Inn, a landmark on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, for serving the
island’s year-round population and visitors through its commitment
to strengthening the island community.
The Mansion House Inn dates to 1794. The Inn was destroyed by fire
in December 2001 and completely rebuilt and reopened in August 2003.
The community came to the rescue of the Inn, which had served as an
economic engine for other surrounding enterprises. The owner of a
building across the street offered free office space to set up a
temporary office for the Goldsteins. Island town officials helped
the Goldsteins push through building permits that can often slow
such projects down. The Goldsteins believe that the success of the
Inn is due to the sense of community service that friends and
neighbors feel on Martha’s Vineyard.
Always active community leaders, Susan and Sherman Goldstein opened
the doors of the Mansion House to events such as the Island Chowder
Contest, Tisbury School’s 8th grade Holiday Gift Wrapping Program,
and the One Book One Island program, a local library initiative
designed to create discussion around one book on the island per
winter season. The Goldsteins have sponsored organizations such as
Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Martha’s Vineyard Chapter of the
American Red Cross, and the Martha’s Vineyard International Film
Festival by providing financial support or discounted/gratis rooms.
Their generosity extends to groups that support special-needs youth
and adults, school speakers and events, community groups, and
community members who have suffered a loss. The Goldsteins have
demonstrated their strong commitment to community service by giving
back to their island community, making the Mansion House Inn, Health
Club, and Spa well deserving of an award for Community Service on
Martha’s Vineyard.
The MLA Community Service award decision was made by a panel of
judges including:
Paul Reulbach, publisher, Boston Magazine; Paul Sacco, former
executive director, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism; and
Jim Stamas, dean, School of Hospitality Administration, Boston
University
The Mansion House Inn is now being considered for a national award
from the American Hotel & Lodging Association to be determined later
this month.
