Local awarded for historical preservation, education

Yesenia Vasquez has a substantial track record of exploring the past. Her travels have taken her to landmarks in Central America and Europe, in addition to those here on Long Island. She has shared her experiences along the way, teaching others about the important places she has helped preserve. One could say she has a history with history. Now, she has been formally recognized for her efforts.

Vasquez, an East Meadow resident, was one of 20 people honored for historical activism July 10 at the Oyster Bay Historical Society’s awards reception. The event signaled the society’s inaugural salute to “Long Island’s Top Advocates for Historic Preservation and Education.”

Vasquez, 37, said it was a privilege to be honored among other distinguished individuals. “It was amazing to listen to everyone’s story, all the work they do, all the hours they dedicate to the preservation of history,” she said.

She has put time into preservation since she was a child in her native El Salvador. Growing up, Vasquez participated in various historical workshops as a member of the Academia Salvadorenia de la Historia, the Salvadorian academy of history. Her efforts have allowed her to travel the world, including Tazumal and Xcaret, two sets of Maya ruins located in El Salvador and Mexico, respectively.

Of all the places Vasquez has visited, though, her favorite is the burial site of Christopher Columbus at the Seville Cathedral in Spain. As an immigrant, she was honored to go see the final resting place of the man who discovered the New World. “Standing next to his tomb was just amazing,” she said.

Vasquez’s passion to teach others drove her early involvement in historical education. “We have such a beautiful country,” she said of El Salvador. “People needed to know.”

She joked that she joined the academy because her mother tried to keep her busy as a child. However, she continued with it because, she said, “I wasn’t interested in history, but I love helping people.”

Vasquez gets others involved wherever she goes; America was no different. “Everyone needs help,” she said. She fell in love upon immigrating to the United States in 1992, and was determined to share this with others.

“We have the resources here, we need to teach our children and keep them busy,” she said.

Vasquez has done just that. Besides being an active member of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, she takes her three children to various museums and preservations, including the Long Island Children’s Museum and the Garvies Point Museum and Preserve.

She often brings her children’s friends along as well, inviting as many as she can. “When the kids are with me, they know they’re going to be doing something fun,” she said. This winter, Vasquez plans to take her children to El Salvador, which will be the first time for her youngest, five-year-old Dylan. “If I could afford it, I’d bring other kids too,” she said.

Going forward, Vasquez hopes to expand her work. She said she has always been fascinated by the water, and hopes to collaborate with fellow honoree Adam Grohman, an experienced diver and co-founder of the Underwater Historical Research Society.

According to the Oyster Bay Historical Society’s executive director, Philip Blocklyn, that’s all part of the plan. The goal for the award is to have advocates for historical preservation and education meet and eventually work together. “We have a group that can offer quite a bit of support for each other,” he said.

Ultimately, Vasquez feels the recognition has given her more freedom to do what she loves. “I have a license to talk about [history] now that I have the award,” she said.