Successful Powder House Cleanup
Thank you to all who volunteered in helping to clear overgrowth at Powder House Rock and around the 1766 Powder House on April 27th, 2019. With the reduction of brush, people are able to access the trail, make the short hike to the top and look over sections of Dedham, and see the historic brick […]
Annual Meeting Has Record Attendance
We had a phenomenal turnout for Gail Coughlin’s talk on the Indigenous Peoples of Dedham at the DHSMs Annual Meeting on April 18th, 2019, and the last of our 2018-2019 lecture series. More members and guests attended this year’s Annual Meeting than is known to be recorded, with more than 75 people present. Thank you […]
Packed Audience at Lecture on Shoes
On March 21st, Dr. Kimberly Alexander spoke to a packed gallery at DHSM about the history of shoes as a reflection of culture and society; this was part of DHSM’s annual lecture series. Attendees had thoughtful questions spurred by Dr. Alexander’s engaging presentation. There were many new faces who joined DHSM for the evening; thank […]
New Exhibit: Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!
A new exhibit has opened at DHSM on Shoes! One can never have enough shoes, and visitors to DHSM will be able to view a selection of shoes from the museum’s collection. Examples on display range from red brocade wedding slippers from a Fairbanks wedding in 1747 to high-heel pumps with silver bead trim from […]
New Exhibit Celebrating American Presidents
In celebration of Presidents’ Day, on Monday, February 18th, 2019, the DHSM is opening an exhibit celebrating American Presidents. The exhibit runs through March. Norfolk County, known as the “County of Presidents,” is the birthplace of four U.S. Presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy, and George Herbert Walker Bush. Signatures or birth […]
Celebrating Black History Month
In 1862, William Benjamin Gould (1837-1923) escaped slavery in North Carolina, traveling down the Cape Fear River with seven other slaves to the ocean, where they were taken aboard the USS Cambridge as “contraband” and fought against the confederacy. After serving in the Navy he moved to Boston and became a master plasterer, joined a […]
DHSM Acquires Chest!
You did it! Thank you! Donors made it possible for the Dedham Historical Society & Museum to acquire this 17th-century carved chest attributed to John Thurston (1607-1685) of Dedham/Medfield. With this purchase, DHSM is now able to display this chest along with a similar carved chest we share with the Fairbanks House made by Thurston’s […]
Important Dedham Pottery Vase Added to Collection
This hand-thrown, stoneware vase decorated with thick, polychrome glazes depicting daffodils and leaves, is an extremely rare and important example of Dedham Pottery. It is signed by Hugh C. Robertson and was made between 1896 and 1908.According to volunteer Dedham Pottery curator, Jim Kaufman, this recently acquired vase is unlike anything currently in the collections […]
Wonderful Winter Wine Event!
Wonderful Winter Wine Event! On Friday, January 25th, friends gathered at DHSM for our annual Winter Wine Event. Guests enjoyed sampling a selection of wines and local beer, and dined on tasty hors d’oeuvres. What better way to spend a cold January evening? Special thanks to the Worthington Committee who made the event possible and […]
Trains a Tremendous Success!
This year’s holiday trains drew more than 750 people to the DHSM! This record number was due to the comfortable weather and increased publicity (thank you Dedham Times and others)—and no doubt to Peter Reynolds of the Blue Bunny, who suggested, as master of ceremonies during the tree lighting, that people be sure to see the trains […]
Holiday Ornaments & Gifts at Our Gift Shop
Saturdays in December from 11-2 (December 15 & 22) Plus Tuesdays-Fridays, 9-5 Be sure to visit DHSM’s Gift Shop for your holiday shopping! Our Dedham Pottery ornaments and seasonal figures are the last available since the closing of the Potting Shed, so pick yours up before they’re all gone! We do have other ornaments and, of course, […]
The Trains are Returning for the Annual Dedham Square Holiday Stroll!
Treat your children and family to an annual holiday tradition. Celebrate the season by enjoying the model trains that once again will be part of Dedham Square’s annual Holiday Stroll, on Friday, November 30, from 6-8 pm at the Dedham Historical Society & Museum. As in years past, a holiday train set takes center stage on the […]
WWI Presentation; DHSM Lecture Series
On Sunday, November 18, 2018 the Dedham Historical Society and Museum hosted a stirring program on WWI, with letters read, history relayed, posters and photographs shown, and period music played. Thank you to DHSM board member Stuart Christie for his research and presentation, and Chief d’Entremont of the #DedhamPolice and Donna Russo for their reading of letters from soldiers […]
Rebecca Carpenter Joins DHSM as New Archivist
Rebecca Carpenter is DHSM’s new part-time librarian and archivist. She succeeds Sandra Waxman, who retired in August after 15 years in the post. Rebecca now oversees the DHSM’s 10,000-volume library and important archival materials, will respond to research requests from members and the public, and expand outreach and educational opportunities within the community and beyond. […]
Fantastic Turnout for Dedham Pottery Dinner!
More than 80 people attended Dedham Historical Society & Museum‘s festive evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first museum exhibition of Dedham Pottery on October 26th. Blue and white was the theme—from the suggested attire, original Dedham Pottery dinner plates (from a private collection), reproduction plates for dessert, an auction of a rare piece, a raffle […]
DHSM Participates in Trunk or Treat
This is the first year that DHSM has participated in Dedham Square Circle’s annual Trunk or Treat—and it was a great success! More than 1,500 streamed through to see the many trunks decorated for Halloween and enjoy a piece of candy. DHSM’s theme was “making your own history.” DHSM director, Johanna McBrien, brought crafts that her children […]
DHSM Out in the Community
We hope you have seen the DHSM’s presence within the community. Most recently, we participated in the Fairbanks Fall Fair, which coincided with Dedham Day. The DHSM had a table full of educational materials that people could handle and discuss. Visitors to DHSM’s table learned about early lighting, communications, food preparation, household chores, the military, […]
Don’t Miss DHSM’s Dedham Pottery Dinner!
Be sure to attend DHSM’s dinner celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the first museum exhibition on Dedham Pottery, held at the Society in 1968. For more information, click on the Events tab or look to the lower left of DHSM’s home page. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!
Sanda Waxman, DHSM’s Archivist and Librarian, retired after fifteen years.
Anyone who has ever used the DHSM collections under Sandra’s care knows the value of her deep knowledge of the original archival, genealogical, and historic materials. In addition to managing the DHSM’s archival and library collection, she has written grants, prepared exhibits, and worked with a loyal group of volunteers. Though her weekly presence will […]
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Dedham Historical Society & Museum has a new Executive Director – Johanna McBrien, a long-time leader in cultural preservation. McBrien succeeds Vicky Kruckeberg, who retired after eight years at the helm of the DHSM. McBrien joins the DHSM from Antiques & Fine Art magazine, the leading publication in its field. An expert in early American culture, […]
Dedham Historical Society & Museum 2018 Spring House Tour
Sunday, June 3, 2018 Noon – 4 PM Celebrate Dedham’s rich architectural history with a self-guided walking tour of wonderful homes in one of Dedham’s historic neighborhoods. This year’s tour includes seven great houses plus the Fairbanks House, the oldest timber frame house in New England. The tour will take place rain or shine. Tickets […]
Dedham Historical Society & Museum 2017 Fall Lecture Series
The Dedham Historical Society & Museum’s 2017-18 lecture series kicks off on Thursday, September 28 with the story of Paul Revere, Artisan and Businessman by Patrick M. Leehey, Research Director at the Paul Revere House. As school children we are taught the story of Paul Revere’s famous ride, but Leehey will tell us more about Paul Revere […]
Dedham History: True or False?
Join us for a family fun program on Sunday afternoon, October 1, Dedham History: True or False? Participants will start by purchasing a “score card” at the DHS and walk to six historic sites in the area. At each site, participants will hear a story from Society staff and volunteers about that particular local site. The […]
DHS Fall 2017 Hours
The DHS Museum and Library/Archives will be closed on the following dates: Friday, September 1; Saturday, September 2; and Thursday, September 21. Our normal hours for the Museum are: Tuesday – Friday 12 noon – 4pm and even dated Saturdays from 1pm – 4pm. The Library/Archives are open by appointment only on Tuesday & Thursday […]