ASOR On The Move, Part 2—Materials Arrive From Boston
ASOR’s Home, named in memory of James F. Strange
When ASOR was established in 1900, our office was one large room in a Jerusalem hotel. During the past 119 years, we have dramatically expanded our scholarly capacity and public outreach—both abroad and in North America. Yet in North America, we moved frequently, from one host institution to another.
Now, we have finally moved into our own home—named in memory of James F. Strange. We closed on the purchase on April 24th, and our materials arrived from Boston last Saturday (May 4th). The ASOR staff in Alexandria started moving into the Strange Center in mid-March. We had been in temporary offices at Virginia Theological Seminary, where we had been welcomed as “sojourners” since late August 2018. All of ASOR is very grateful to the Very Rev. Ian Markham, Dean and President of VTS, as well as the rest of the Seminary community, for giving ASOR and our staff a temporary home while we searched for a new office and permanent home.
The initial move from VTS to the Strange Center was gradual, moving a small number of boxes of journals and books and emptying our desks. The staff has been eager to start setting up their new work spaces at the Strange Center, so the move has gone smoothly! We started out with a few office chairs, folding chairs, and folding tables so that the four Alexandria staff could continue working until dozens of boxes and other items arrived from Boston.
Marta and China take a break after the boxes were unloaded
This past Saturday (May 4th), we were excited to welcome a large moving truck with all of our materials from Boston. Although we officially purchased the Strange Center on April 24th, we had to wait a few weeks for the moving truck because we had to move in over a weekend and because of the Red Sox schedule—ASOR members will remember that we were previously located in the Kenmore Square area of Boston, and parking is impossible on game days.
Boxes from Boston stacked temporarily in work room.
The delay worked out well though. Marta Ostovich was able to set up the internet and phones (see our new “contact us” link), and we were all able to plan for placing our furniture and boxes. Even though we planned well, we had forgotten how many boxes of books and files would be arriving. Yet, we are thrilled that all of our belongings have finally arrived, and we are eagerly unpacking.
The team is excited about the possibilities for how the space will transform into a working and dynamic area in which the current and future staff are proud to work. It is especially gratifying to know that ASOR is also helping to preserve the local historic architecture of Alexandria (the office was built c. 1880s)! The history of this area is vibrantly alive and maintained along the cobbled streets of Old Town. We hope that you will stop by and visit us and take a tour of the Strange Center when you are next in town. Your generous support is the reason ASOR has a home now. We could not have done it with you. Thank you.
Movers carrying heavy filing cabinets upstairs
How You Can Help This Move. If you have not already made a gift, please consider joining the “450 for $450,000” challenge gift campaign by donating to ASOR before June 30, 2019 (all gifts, including programs other than the building qualify). If you have already pledged or made a gift to support our new home, please think about increasing your gift or pledge to the building so that we can raise the last $66,000 needed to qualify for this $450,000 challenge.
To recognize your support, we offer naming opportunities at the following levels:
- Naming of conference room or floor = $300,000
- Naming of an individual office (sizes vary) = $100,000 – $250,000
- Name recognition on smaller office spaces = $25,000 – $99,999
- Name on plaque recognizing major donors = $10,000 or more
- Name on a plaque recognizing all donors at “brick” level or higher = $250 or more
OTHER WAYS TO DONATE
| Donate By Phone | Donate By Mail | Make A Pledge (Donate Later) |
|---|---|---|
| Call ASOR: 703-789-9229 |
ASOR 209 Commerce Street Alexandria, VA 22314 |
E-mail ASOR |
