The Wayside Inn Announces New Nonprofit Director

The Trustees of The Wayside Inn Foundation (TWIF) are pleased to announce the appointment of Sally Purrington Hild as the first Director of Nonprofit Programs and Affairs. “We are ecstatic to invite Sally to join us as Nonprofit Director (NPD),” said Gary Christelis, President of The Wayside Inn Foundation Board of Trustees. “Her experience with nonprofit organizations focused on history and preservation and her roots in the community will be incredible assets for our organization and our future.”

The NPD position was newly created to re-initiate, organize and execute The Wayside Inn Foundation mission and to encourage development and community engagement to further its nonprofit identity beyond the traditional hospitality enterprises for which it is known. Filling this role in one of several recent initiatives undertaken by TWIF to elevate its nonprofit identity and mission. “The Wayside Inn is much more than a restaurant,” added Christelis, “Longfellow’s Wayside Inn is beloved and will continue to operate under its iconic name, but the trustees all agree that many parts of our site and resources are underutilized and that our programming potential is untapped. Sally will lead our efforts at TWIF toward growth.”

“The Wayside Inn is a special place,” noted Hild, a Sudbury resident since 2002. “I’ve had the pleasure of coming to the Inn to gather with family since I was a child. I remember being awed by the ancient beams, the smell of the hearth, and the glimmering pewter and brass things. I may have occasionally swung on the gate along the Grist Mill path. Whenever I step onto The Wayside Inn grounds it feels like coming home to some of my favorite memories.”

“Having partnered with Sally on several projects, I know we’ll work well together,” said Innkeeper Steve Pickford. “Over the years I’ve taken on responsibilities well beyond my wheelhouse and from which I’ve learned a lot, but I could really use some help and expertise with development and programming. Sally’s proven track record in nonprofit management will be a huge benefit for us.” Hild most recently held the position of Executive Director for the Sudbury Historical Society and led its efforts to build the Sudbury History Center at the Loring Parsonage and previously served as Executive Director of the Cambridge Historical Society. Hild holds a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation from Boston University’s American and New England Studies program. This experience combined with extensive training in museum management will prove useful as TWIF implements many of its educational and capital improvement initiatives. Pickford continues in his role as Innkeeper of the Inn and General Manager of TWIF.

“I feel fortunate to begin a new job here, to work with a Board of Trustees, the Innkeeper Steve Pickford, and the Inn staff who have a clear vision for protecting and preserving what is precious about The Wayside Inn and its living history legacy, while also ensuring that the campus will be sustainable well into the future.” Hild said. “I have been working to build community connections and look forward to collaborative projects with other local groups while expanding The Wayside Inn’s visitation and engagement with the historic site.” Hild will begin her job as NPD on October 21st at the new TWIF office in the Gate House located across from Longfellow’s Wayside Inn.

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About The Wayside Inn Foundation

The Wayside Inn Foundation is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 1944 to preserve and operate the Wayside Inn Historic Site, a historic property on the National Register of Historic Places with over 100 acres and 9 historic buildings, including the famed Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, believed to be the oldest operating inn in the United States. The organization, led by an all-volunteer board of trustees, also promotes early American humanities and culture through hospitality, lodging, education, programming, and events. For more information, please visit www.wayside.org/.