Programs, Exhibits and Events.
Fisher School open to visitors first Sunday of the month
2-4
pm 830 High Street
Westwood, MA 02090
The Fisher School is handicapped accessible and the meetings are open to all.
Programs
The Westwood Historical Society is a charitable, educational institution, organized under Chapter 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is completely supported through membership and private donations. The mission of the Society is to preserve Westwood's unique history, educate the community about it, and promote an understanding of its impact on the future. The Society collects, maintains, and preserves documents and artifacts related to the town; serves as a resource for research; and advocates for historical preservation. It supports the study of history by conducting school programs and by educating the community through public programs and exhibits. For more information please visit www.westwoodhistoricalsociety.com.
Spring Programs at 7:30
Westwood Historical program events are free of charge to all attendees
Everyone is welcome at the historical society events which are held at the Fisher School, 830 High Street. Please park along the Thurston Middle School Driveway, accessed off Nahatan Street, as parking is not permitted along High Street.
April 8th, 2008 - Richard Clark, will present a one-man show "Clarence Darrow" on Tuesday April 8th. The play will feature intense court room drama and comic relief as it highlights the life and times of Clarence Darrow , attorney extraordinaire and defender of the downtrodden and damned. This program is supported in part by a grant from Westwood Cultural Council.
Exhibits:
2-4 p.m. at the
Fisher School Open House
September 7th - 2008 - "Green Years" Westwood School Days Remembered The vacation is coming to a close and young people will be returning to the classroom. With thoughts of memories of school days the Westwood Historical Society in conjunction with The Westwood High Alumni Association will be presenting an exhibition of memorabilia of the "Green Years" at the historical Fisher School, 830 High Street between the hours of 2 - 4 pm on Sunday September 7th, 2008.
The Fisher School, one of several one-room schoolhouses in West Dedham, dates back to the late mid 19th Century. West Dedham's schools were part of the Dedham school system that dates to the year 1644. "On the first day of the eleventh month of 1644" forty-two men in a Dedham meeting voted unanimously to "provide maintenance for a Free school in our said Towne." The schoolhouse was built in 1648 becoming the first school publicly funded in the colonies. Later, after families moved from the village center the school was located in different locations for various periods of time. In West Dedham the school was held alternately between two houses. In 1732 a small schoolhouse was built in the Fox Hill Clapboardtree section of the town. While Dedham had its own informal school district the General Court in 1798 enacted legislation defining school districts and in 1838 Dedham redefined its districts. The first schoolhouse in town was built in 1732 starting a tradition of excellence in the education of the young people of Westwood.
The Fisher School, the last one-room schoolhouse in town closed its doors in 1905 as more students were attending the new modern Colburn School on High Street. At the time of Westwood's incorporation in 1897 the Town of Westwood had three schools; the Colburn, the Fisher and the Wentworth (now Islington Branch Library) with five teachers and one hundred and twenty-eight students. Until the late 1940's Westwood was part of a larger district sharing its superintendent.
Students going on to high school had to attend Dedham High School and in some cases Norwood High School until 1940 when Westwood opened the first Junior Senior High School on High Street, the present Thurston Middle School. In 1949 resulting from a growing student population the facility became a high school with the junior high moving to the newly built Pond Plain School (Sheehan School). Once again the town realized the student population was outgrowing the high school facility and a new school was constructed on Nahatan Street opening in December 1956 with the present high school opening its doors in 2003.
Memorabilia donated mainly by former Westwood students will be exhibited on September 7th including many items from their high school years.
A large collection of photographs from Westwood High School "Green Years" ca. late 1950's to 2003 will be available for perusing which have no identifying marks or dates. Westwood students who attended high school during those years, parents, friends and the general public are invited to help in identifying these photographs.
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
School Days
Sunday - May 4, June 1, July 6 and August 3rd, 2008 - 2-4 pm During the summer the Society's one-room schoolhouse reverts to the 1800s with its old fashioned school desks, and early teacher's desk, hand held slates, inkwells and quill pens and even a dunce cap in case a "scholar" misbehaves! On display is school memorabilia from the past.
Everyone is invited
Bring along children, grandchildren and friends. Visitors can take home a booklet with the history of the Fisher School.
School Programs
"1800s School Days" by Joan Swann
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 Plant Sale, Soiree and House and Garden Tour
(See details below)
Spectacular Plant Sale - Saturday May 17th at 9 - 1pm. 2008
An outstanding Plant Sale will take place on the lawn of the Historical Society's Fisher School on Saturday May 17th starting at 9 am. Plants are from local gardens and therefore larger than what you can buy at a local nursery. They are also more reasonably priced. Herbs will be in plentiful supply, also perennials and even houseplants. Shrubs and trees are included as well. There will be something for every kind of garden from shade to sun, formal to informal, easy care to those needing frequent attention. This year we will have more varieties of aquilegia, Hemerocallis and veronica. Some of the other plants will be available are: lilac, spirea, peonies, Jacob's Ladder, carnations, Canterbury Bells, asters, delphinium, tuberous and Siberian iris, hosta, creeping and common phlox, forget-me-nots, Lady's Mantle, ginger, thyme, cilantro, dill, chives, basil and more. Mark the day on your calendar and plan to buy your spring plants at our sale!
June 6, 2008 - Annual Soiree - The annual Soiree will be held prior to the House and Garden Tour on Friday evening June 6th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This event has proven to be very popular over the years. The Boutique and the Silent Auction will take place at the Soiree. Watch for your invitation for this popular event in the mail!
June 7, 2008 - 13th Annual House and Garden Tour 12 am to 4 pm.
This year the Society will be hosting a Mini House and Garden Tour. A Boutique and Silent Auction will take place at the Soiree. Tickets are available at Decor and More at 695 High Street (next to the Westwood Post Office) tickets will also be available at the houses and gardens $10.00 each or telephone the Westwood Historical Society at 782-326-5334..
On the day of the tour, travel in your own car and at your own pace. A map will be on the ticket to show which houses and gardens are open.
Donations are welcome for the Boutique and Silent Auction. Bring your items to Lura Provost's 68 Milk Street, prior to the Tour and Sale. For more information, call Lura at 781-326-4713.
The Soiree scheduled to precede the Tour will take place as planned on Friday evening June 6th. All are invited to attend this festive cocktail party. Call the Westwood Historical Society for ticket information to attend the Soiree at 781-326-5334. The Soiree is a major fund raiser to help fund the restoration of the Obed Baker House. Thank You.
June 14, 2007 Saturday - The Annual Meeting at 11 am to be held at the Butterfly Garden at Hale Reservation at 11:30 am for Annual Meeting and light lunch. Members may go directly to the garden or meet at the Fisher School at 11 am, where transportation in private vehicles will be available.
Summer 2008
Map
to Westwood Historical Society, Fisher School
