Letter to the Editor: Thanks to Champagne and Chocolate Sponsors

Letter to the Editor expressing thanks to two lead sponsors of their upcoming event on Feb. 2

  Dear Editor, The Needham Historical Society would like to thank Roche Brothers and the Needham Bank who are the lead sponsors of our upcoming "Champagne and Chocolate Goes Country."  We are moving this popular mid-winter event from the Society's headquarters to Powers Hall at Town Hall on evening of Saturday, February 2nd. This provides the opportunity to have live music with Catie Offerman and along with a  Texas Style Bar-B-Q catered by Blue Ribbon Barbecue. We're also going to have a very exciting live auction-a first for Champagne and Chocolate. Anyone interested in more information is welcome to go to the Society's website at: www.needhamhistory.org or to call the Needham Historical Society at 781-455-8860. Sincerely, Mark Gluesing…

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Raisman Takes Her Place in Local History

The gold-medal gymnast isn't the only Olympian Needham has had over the years.

Everybody's talking about Aly Raisman, but the 18-year-old gold-medal gymnast from Needham isn't the town's first Olympian. In 1936, Needham sent five athletes to the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. They included brothers Roger and Robert Cutler, who were rowers, and siblings Olive, Walter and Joseph Hasenfus, according to a recent post on the Needham Historical Society's Facebook page. The brother Hasenfuses were canoers, while Olive Hasenfus competed in track and field. None of the five Needham residents advanced beyond the Olympic qualifying rounds to reach the finals, according to the Historical Society post, but Olive Hasenfus later enjoyed a long career as a coach for women's sports at Needham High School. Learn more about local …

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Needham Documentary To Debut on WGBH

'Big Little Town' tells the story of Needham from its establishment in 1711 through today.

The documentary film, “Big Little Town: The Story of Needham,” will premiere on WGBH this week. Originally screened at a special event held in Needham's James Hugh Powers Hall, the film—a joint presentation of Needham 300, the Needham Historical Society and The Needham Channel—will be broadcast on Thursday, July 19 at 10 p.m. The film will air again from July 20-22 (see the full schedule below). A description of the film provided by the Historical Society states: Before there was a United States, there was a Needham. First a part of Dedham in 1630, Needham was established as an independent town in 1711. Over the next 300 years, this small town transformed itself from a sleepy farming village, to a thriving mill center, to an ethnic melting…

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Pansies Still Available

Visit the Needham Historical Society daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If you missed the Pansy Days Festival last weekend, don't worry—there is still an opportunity to pick up a few pansies to brighten up your garden while supporting the Needham Historical Society. Visit the Historical Society offices at 1147 Central Ave. daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and shop from the remaining selection of pansies. The price is $3.50 for a six-plant flat, and all proceeds benefit the programs and activities of the Needham Historical Society. Why pansies, you ask? According to the Historical Society: Pansies were one of the products grown in Needham for the flower markets in the late 19th century. Needham’s “Pansy King” was a Swiss botanist named Denys Zirngiebel. He grew his prize-winning pansies commercially for decades…

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Historical Society Pansy Sale Begins April 6

Visit the museum on Central Avenue and pick up some new spring flowers.

Submitted by the Needham Historical Society The pansies are here! Despite the warm weather, it is not really spring until we have pansies. Pansies are Needham’s official flower, and April is Pansy Month. The Needham Historical Society will be selling pansies from April 6-20 at its headquarters at 1147 Central Ave. Pansies are available every day, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  The price is $3.50 for a six-plant flat. All proceeds benefit the programs and activities of the Needham Historical Society. The Historical Society’s Pansy Festival will take place on Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Along with the pansies, there will be planting workshops, herbs and perennials, gifts and books and a bake sale. For kids there will be a …

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New Needham Documentary To Be Screened in Powers Hall

'Big Little Town' offers window into small town life across America

By Sandy Tobin As a finale to the Needham 300 celebration, a documentary on the colorful history of Needham is being released. A premiere screening of “Big Little Town: The Story of Needham” will take place in Powers Hall on Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m. and is free to the first 300 people to come to the door. The film will also be broadcast locally on The Needham Channel and is slated for release on WGBH Boston sometime over the next few months. The documentary tells the story of Needham, a small New England town whose people arrived just 10 years after the Pilgrims, and who established their community more than a half century before there was even a United States. It is the story of how, over three centuries, the town transformed from a …

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Get Out

5 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 9-11

Student actors will present dramatic monologues, the library will host birds of prey and the authors behind 'The Unauthorized Mad Men Cookbook," the Homegrown Coffeehouse will present a Celtic Christmas and the Historical Society will celebrate the season

It’s Thursday, and the weekend is right around the corner. Patch has your back with a few fun things to do. Check our picks for the activities to hit and some places to explore. Here's what's happening in and around your town. 1. NHS Presents “Spoon River Anthology” 2. Wingmasters Presents: “North American Bird of Prey” 3. “A Celtic Christmas” at the Homegrown Coffeehouse 4. Meet The Authors of “The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook” 5. Needham Historical Society Holiday Open House Bonus: Ready to hear the sounds of the season? Look for our list of upcoming holiday and winter concerts Friday on Needham Patch.

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Patch Snap: A Tree Grows in Needham

The town of Wellesley recently donated a tree to be planted in celebration of Needham's 300th birthday.

In honor of Needham’s tercentennial, the town of Wellesley donated a tree that was planted on the lawn in front of the Needham Historical Society on Central Avenue. The tree is recognition of the common bond between Needham and Wellesley, formerly known as West Needham.

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Viewfinder

Historical Society Holds 'Music on the Lawn'

Local musicians and performers entertained an audience Friday at the local history museum.

Music on the Lawn, a showcase by local musicians and performers, was held by the Needham Historical Society on Friday. Originally an outdoor activity, the performance had to be moved indoors because of inclement weather. Nevertheless, approximately 30 people came by to enjoy the music and support the Historical Society. The event was held as a fundraiser for the Society, and considering the fact that nearly every seat was filled, was deemed a success.

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Patch Passport

Travel Back in Time: Needham History on Display

Travel Back in Time with the Wednesday Patch Passport, to discover the history and roots of Needham.

For a visual history lesson on life in Needham’s past, the best place to visit is the Needham Historical Society, 1147 Central Ave., which features exhibits of clothing, books, tools and other items from days gone by. History of the building The Historical Society is located in a combined building—the old Matthias Mills House makes up one part, while the “Little Red Schoolhouse” sits on another side, connected by a modern addition that allows for modern plumbing, heating and cooling systems and an elevator to make the building fully handicapped-accessible. The Historical Society moved to the new building around 2005 after its old quarters became too cramped. “We were looking for a new location because the Glendoon House [officially known …

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