April 9,2013 -               Gary Hylander "Battle of Bunker Hill"  Tuesday April 9th at  7:30 PM

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on Jue 17,1775 in the early stages of the American Revolution. The British wanted to capture Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill to gain complete control of BOSTON Harbor. When the colonists learned that the British generals planned to send troops to seize the hills, they sent 1200 troops under the  command of William Prescott to occupy and defend them. The colonists successfully withstood two British assaults on their lines. On the third assault, the colonists had run out of ammunition and the British finally captured the hills.  The victory was a Pyrrhic one as the British won at great cost, suffering 1054 casualties; 226 dead and 828 wounded. Despite their loss, the battle was a significant morale builder for the inexperienced Americans. Of special interest is that Robert Steele, a Westwood resident, served as drummer boy during the Battle of Bunker Hill

Gary L. Hylander earned his Ph.D. at Boston College.  His advisor and dissertation director was the noted Boston historian, Thomas H. O'Connor.  Dr. Hylander is a professor of American History at Stonehill College where he specializes as a Presidential Historian.  Gary is a frequent presenter at library forums historical sociaties, senior living centers, and civic and professional organizations.

May 11,2013 -         Plant Sale - Fisher School

                     Exhibits: 2-4 p.m. at the Fisher School Open House

   The exhibit is free to everyone and handicap accessible in accordance with the Americans Disability Act. everyone is welcome.  Please park along the Thurston Middle School driveway off Nahatan Street.  For more information call Westwood Historical Society at 781-326-5334

November 4, 2012.                            "Quilts"

An eclectic display of varying forms and styles of quilts representing the past and the present will be n display.  The works highlights the talents and handiwork of West Dedham/Westwood residents and their families. Items provided by members of the community, including Susan Dyer, Lura Provost, Joan Murphy, Joy Sudduth, Marsha Grey are exhibited along with items from the Historical Society's collection. A Yo Yo quilt made by Susan's Aunt Marjorie White as a 4H project in the 1930s will be included as well as a patchwork quilt made by Susan's grandmother who was also named Marjorie White. Several applique quilts from the Society's collection will be included.

If you have any items that you would like to include in the exhibit, please contact us at 781-326-5334 or westwoodhistorical@hotmail.com.

  The Society's events are open to everyone at no charge.  The Fisher School is accessible to all in accordance with American Disability Act.  Please park along the Thurston Middle School driveway, accessed off Nahatan Street, as parking is not permitted along High Street. 830 High Street.  For more information, call Westwood Historical Society at 781-326-5334.

  Events

Betsy Baker Biography

A women wearing a straw hat c. 1829

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division

The National Women's History Museum and Girls Learn International have co-sponsored a project to document the lives of women who have changed history,  Westwood's own Betsy Metcalf Baker is among the women included in this group. To quote the biography:

"Born near the seaside of Providence, Rhode Island in 1786, Betsy became fascinated with the straw hat after seeing an expensive English straw bonnet in a shop window. Although Betsey lived well as the daughter of town solicitor Joel Metcalf, she could not afford the bonnet.  She recreated one for herself in 1798, using simple tools and straw from the family barn.  Betsey designed and executed her straw hat so successfully that other people began requesting bonnets too.  She shared her new talent with her family and friends at her school, Day's Academy.  Betsey's new hat style had great  commercial appeal because it could be easily manufactured at very little cost,  It also created a new industry for girls and women because the straw bonnets could be made at home from local resources, so the women and girls could do work for themselves. Thus Betsey Metcalf started the American straw-hat industry."

To see full article, visit the National Women's History Museum's website at the following address: http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/youngandbrave/metcalf.html.

School Days

 School Programs

"1800s School Days" 

In May--Once again thirteen third grade classes, one class at a time, step back during May for an 1800s day at the Fisher School. "Scholars" arrive in period clothes and bring an old fashioned lunch, read from McGuffey's Reader, do arithmetic from West Dedham resident Warren Colburn's 1847 Intellectual Arithmetic, write with quill pen and ink, participate in a spelling bee, play old fashioned games at recess and visit the old Westwood Cemetery. A dunce chair is ready lest a student misbehaves.  This is the ninth year of the popular program which compliments the third grade history curriculum.

Philbrick Art  Class at Westwood High School

Longtime Historical Society member and former art teacher Irene Buonopane, coordinating with High School art teacher gave a presentation to art classes at the High School on March 30th, using Margaret Philbrick's step by step process for silk screening.  Irene's program complemented that of the art teachers who received a 2006 "mini grant" from the Westwood Educational Foundation to purchase equipment for silk screening.

Third graders gathered on the steps of the Fisher School

Photo courtesy of John Pritchard

Spring 2013