BEACON HILL — Current and former Hampshire House and Cheers employees, business and community leaders and friends gathered at the historic Hampshire House on Beacon Hill to give “cheers” to Thomas A. Kershaw for 55 years of ownership and operation of the Hampshire House and internationally known Cheers bar. Kershaw’s long and storied career in Boston began exactly 55 years to date, on June 10th in 1969, when at age 30 he purchased The Hampshire House Mansion as was given the gate keys. 

On hand to celebrate Kershaw were state Representative Jay Livingstone, City Council President Ed Flynn, City Councilor to Beacon Hill Sharon Durkin, New England Council President Jim Brett; longstanding Hampshire House and Cheers employees; and other leaders from Boston’s business and nonprofit communities. Additional guests included Lindy Roethlisberger (Tom’s Significant Other), Dusty Rhodes (President Conventures), Shawn Ford (Executive Director of Tea Party Ships & Museums) , Paul George (Attorney), Judge Milton Wright , and Carrie Campbell (Senior VP of Boston Red Sox). Some former employees returned including Billy Honeycutt (Proprietor Offshore Ale Company, Martha’s Vineyard annd Jon Brewers Tavern), ohn Grasso (Proprietor of Halfway Café), Eddie Doyle (bartender for over 30 years ) and wife Marsha; and Jose Arias (Director of Maintenance 30 years).

All photos by Bill Brett