Ashdown House Documentary
2006, “Ashdown House, The home where science and technology live” created a 60 minute video documentary, presented at the 150th anniversary of MIT 2011 and presented at April 21 & 22, 2006, John Hancock Hall.
In early 2006 it was announced that Ashdown House, MIT's oldest graduate dormitory and the second oldest in the United States, would be transformed into an undergraduate residence by 2008 and the graduate community would be moved to another part of the MIT campus. As new graduate students living in the house, myself and Brazilian Phd student Luciana Pereira took up the role of preserving the buildings history and culture.
This hour long documentary includes interviews with former residents, many who have played an important role in science and technology in the 20th century. The project serves to bridge a connection with the past and present in order to connect traditions that must be maintained in the new building so that they are not forgotten. In 2006 the video was named Best Documentary in the History Channel category of the Boston Campus MovieFest. More importantly it was shown to the MIT administration and architects of the new building, to alumni so that the memory, culture and tradition of Ashdown House will not be completely forgotten.
'Ashdown House' documentary wins award
Ben Wood and Luciana Pereira receive acknowledgement for their film from Brad Buran at the Ashdown Alumni dinner in April 2006.