Having served as a goodwill ambassador to the town of Kushimoto, Japan in October, the president of the Wareham Historical Society accepted a plaque naming her official ambassador for the Town of Wareham.

Selectmen awarded Angela Dunham the title on Tuesday night at the board's final meeting of the year.

During the meeting, Dunham approached the board with gifts from Japan to honor Wareham and reinforce the newly formed friendship between Wareham and Kushimoto.

"They want to continue a relationship with all of you as a board," said Dunham.

The presentation followed her recent trip to Kushimoto, where Dunham took part in celebrating the 225th anniversary of Wareham's Captain John Kendrick becoming the first American to officially visit Japan.

Kendrick's historic voyage has been celebrated throughout the year. To mark the occasion, the towns have been exchanging stories, gifts and developing a friendship.

Kushimoto invited Dunham and author Scott Ridley to their celebration of Kendrick in October, and according to Dunham, they were treated "like rockstars."

Dunham presented to the board: Japanese newspapers that covered the event; a picture book documenting her trip; cookies made specially with Kendrick's ship, the Lady Washington, printed on the back; and a letter from the mayor of Kushimoto.

Dunham didn't go to Japan empty-handed. She collected dozens of gifts from all over town, including challenge coins created by Selectmen Chair Judith Whiteside.

"They value kindness to an extreme, so your gift of challenge coins was more appreciated than I can express to you," said Dunham.

Dunham presented each of the Selectmen with challenge coins made by Kushimoto as a token of appreciation and friendship.

"It is extraordinary that we have been able to forge such a relationship with a country that we were once very much at war with, and I hope that the example set between Wareham and Kushimoto is followed throughout the world," said Whiteside.