1845 Fisher School

Other Activities, Programs and News.

Activities and News

Historical Happenings

Westwood Historical Society Wins Grants

Grant from Westwood Educational Foundation

The Historical Society s pleased to have received a $2,000 grant from the Westwood Educational Foundation. The grant will be used for deacidification and archival framing of a large number of Margaret Philbrick's art works, recently donated to the Society by Mr. & Mrs. Otis Philbrick.  Also included are many of Margaret's handwritten step by step processes. Irene Buonopane is coordinating with High School art teachers and students using some of Margaret's techniques.

Grant from Local Cultural Council sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council

In January, the Historical Society received grant approval from the Local Cultural Council (LLC) Program sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.  LLC grants are made to all Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns to support community cultural activities.  The grant will support our Cultural Outreach Program Series, including lectures, historical interpretations, and a baroque music concert.

Grant from Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities. Bring Ideas to Life

In February, the Historical Society was awarded a Research Inventory Grant of $1000 from the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities.  The Grant will be used for the Pickhardt Family collection, discovered in the attic of their Islington home on East Street by new owners.  The collection includes three generations of original family art, poetry, essays, letters, diplomas, business records, Islington history and photographs.  One of the photos is on the cover of "Images of America, Westwood." The collection adds exciting information about Islington and its residents from the 1880s to 1950s.  The Westwood Historical Society is very grateful to receive this Research Inventory Grant.  This program is sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities.

Certificates Issued for the Historic Districts.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission has recently issued two certificates, one for the Fisher School-High Street Historic District and the other for the Colburn School- High Street Historic District stating their inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, as of June 16th, and June 9th, 2000 respectively. The process was initiated five years ago when the application was made for the Fisher School. We share a sense of pride that Westwood's two Historic Districts have been listed.  

Antique Photographs Sought.

The Historical Society is working on making a folder of photographs and information on every historic house in Westwood including Victorian and early 20th century homes. The Society would like to be able to answer the many requests for information, thus they are building a photo file of early pictures of the houses in Westwood. If you have any photos, they will be copied and returned if they are too precious to part with. Of course, the Society would love the originals but are delighted with copies. Ernie Greppin has photographed most antique homes as a record in the year 2000. The Society received a grant from the Westwood Educational Foundation to cover the costs of materials.

Permanent Historical Society Sign.

Bay State Federal Savings Charitable Foundation underwrote the cost for a permanent sign which was unveiled as part of the House and Garden Tour in June. Bank official Susan Kelliher spoke of the Foundation's commitment to the community, and to non-profit organizations such as the Historical Society. The Society is most grateful for the Foundation's generous grant making a permanent sign possible at the Fisher School. An "Open Today" sign will be added soon.

Memorial Gifts.

Giving a gift to the Historical Society in memory of a loved one is a lasting way to remember them. The Society is grateful for these special donations. Those whose memory has been recently honored are Deidre Patrick, Gordon "Skip" McLaren, Henry McLaren, Isabella Nelson, Alta McLaren, and J. Worth Estes.

Fall Appeal.

Happily the Fisher School is complete except for a few finishing touches. However, the Historical Society needs funds to maintain the building and carry out school and community programs. When your letter arrives, please be generous so that the Society can focus on preserving the historical character of Westwood. If you did not receive a letter, you may send your check to the Westwood Historical Society, P.O. Box 2575, Westwood, MA 02090.

Dunlay Prints Available.

Limited edition prints of Tom Dunlay’s oil painting of the Fisher School are available from the Historical Society. In recognition of the opening of the school, Tom Aaron, who owns the original oil painting, has collaborated with Tom Dunlay to donate a limited number of colored prints, which are available on an order basis. All proceeds benefit the Westwood Historical Society. The color prints are signed by the artist and come in two sizes. The large 11x14 framed (Limited Edition) sells for $200; unframed for $75. The small 8x10 framed sells for $125, unframed $50. Also available is a charming 18x8 mirror with the 5x7 print set in the top section. The framing of the prints can be customized to suit your decor. To order contact Joy Sudduth, Secretary of the Westwood Historical Society, at 781-769-9379, or email www.westwoodhistorical@hotmail.com

Collectible Fisher School Cup Plate.

Have you considered giving a cup plate to your mother or wife as a gift? To celebrate the opening of the Fisher School, the Society commissioned Pairpoint Glass Factory in Sagamore to produce a commemorative cup plate. The glass plate is in the popular cobalt blue color and features Margaret Philbrick’s drawing of the schoolhouse. Originally cup plates were used in the early 19th century when hot tea was served in cups without handles and poured into deep saucers to cool. The tea was sipped from the saucer after placing the tea-cup on a cup plate to protect the linen and table. Today, the pressed glass cup plates are collectible as decorative pieces. Pairpoint crystal is internationally renowned for its high standards of beauty, quality, and craftsmanship.

The collectible cup plate sells for $12 at The Perfect Present and Decor and More. The proceeds benefit the Westwood Historical Society’s programs and conservation projects. For delivery, call Lura Provost at 781-326-1543 or Jackie Tauber at 781-320-8953.

 

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