Cape Cod Resident Celebrates Decades Supporting Old North Church

When Anne Bailey Berman was in the fourth grade living in Morocco, she remembers going door to door asking for money to support the renovation of Old North Church’s famous steeple and the Constitution, both in Boston. The daughter of a U.S. Naval Officer who loved history, she grew up around the world and looked to Boston’s oldest surviving church and other patriotic symbols to develop her own sense of an American identity. Today, the 74-year-old part-time Cape Cod resident celebrates nearly two decades of service to the very same institution she supported as a child as she prepares to step down as a longtime member and former Chair of the Old North Illuminated’s Board of Directors.

“The story of the two men climbing up the stairs of the steeple to notify Paul Revere that the British were heading to Concord to capture Samuel Adams and other patriot leaders by crossing the water, and thus ignited the American Revolution, really stuck with me as a kid,” says Berman “Their beliefs, their values, and their bravery were essential to their success. Remembering who we are and knowing what happened that made Old North a lightning rod in all of this, remains important to becoming the nation we want to be, even today. That is why I worked so long with the Old North.”

After living in five places overseas and five U.S. states, Berman attended Louisiana State University where she earned two degrees, a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and a Master’s degree in broadcasting. Her first job was working in the newsroom of WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge where she later worked as a reporter before becoming the Chief Spokesperson of Human Resources for the state of Louisiana during a pivotal moment as America moved end segregation. She went on to travel the world with a friend for about one and a half years as she figured out her next career move. She earned her MBA in public sector management from Boston University while serving as the Chief Spokesperson of Public Health for the State of Massachusetts. After working for American Cable Systems for three years, she teamed up with a former professor to start what would become one of the largest market research firms in the country. Chadwick Martin Bailey (CMB) was sold five years ago, and Berman formally retired in 2020.

“My father instilled his passion for history and its meaning in me. Growing up where the Americans landed in North Africa heading to Italy in WWII, also in France not far from Normandy, living and travelling in other countries with their own histories allows you to learn a lot about beliefs, cultural norms, and what makes Americans’ democracy unique,” says Berman. “When I came to Boston, two friends suggested I join them on the Old North Board. It was a no-brainer. It was an honor, and I was in!”

Berman has always been involved with nonprofits in her community. She first joined Old North Illuminated’s Board of Directors in 1999 and served two terms as Chair, first from 2002 to 2008 and later from 2013 to the top of 2018. During her tenure, she is most proud of helping to negotiate the separation between the congregation and the historical foundation, enabling the foundation to hire its own director, develop programming such as K-12 education and maintain the Old North campus while the Vicar is allowed to focus on the congregation. She also helped the nonprofit to weather economic ups and downs and welcome the Old North Illuminated’s current Executive Director Nikki Stewart.

“Anne’s wisdom, vision, and leadership has helped shape Old North Illuminated into the thriving institution that we are today,” says Nikki Stewart, Executive Director of the Old North Illuminated. “Not many of us are lucky enough to see a childhood passion turn into several decades of service. And her impact will carry forward through all of the board members she has mentored and encouraged along the way.”

The Old North Church is one of the most visited historical sites along the Freedom Trail, known for “one if by land, and two if by sea” and the midnight ride of Paul Revere. Old North Illuminated works to inspire active citizenship and courageous, compassionate leadership by interpreting and preserving the Old North Church & Historic Site.

This season, Old North Church & Historic Site will be open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Holiday hours may vary. Tickets will be offered at $5 per person. Self-guided tours give an in-depth view of the building that once served wealthy merchants, government officials, and skilled tradesmen. Visitors can walk through box pews, admire the 17th century angels flanking the church’s 1759 organ, and learn about the experiences of free and enslaved Black congregants. Tours of the crypt will be an additional $5. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit: www.oldnorth.com.

About Old North Illuminated / Old North Church & Historic Site

Established in 1991, Old North Illuminated, formerly The Old North Foundation of Boston, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is responsible for historic site operations and interpretative, educational, and preservation programs at the iconic Old North Church & Historic Site. A secular organization that is independent of Christ Church in the City of Boston, the foundation welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors annually while overseeing the preservation of an enduring symbol of American independence. The foundation serves a wide audience by creating meaningful experiences through educational outreach, site-specific programming, and historical analysis. Old North Illuminated works collaboratively with the City of Boston, the U.S National Park Service, the Freedom Trail Foundation, and other non-profits to foster educational and interpretive programs for students and visitors while engaging the public in Old North Church’s history and its role in inspiring liberty and freedom. For more information, visit: www.oldnorth.com.

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