Past Speakers & Webinars

Book cover, September 2026 talk, Alcohol in the Revolution
September 16, 2026 7:00 pm

The Intoxicating History of the American Revolution

7:00 p.m.

Taxation Image
May 20, 2026 7:00 pm

The History of Taxation

Book cover of Eyewitness to the Revolution, the April Speaker Series Talk.
April 22, 2026 7:00 pm

Eyewitness to Revolution: The American Revolution Collection at the Concord Museum

Mercy Otis Warren interpreter
March 29, 2026 1:00 pm

In celebration of Women's History Month & America's 250th

Amelia Peabody with sculpture.
March 18, 2026 7:00 pm

Amelia Peabody, Artist and Pioneer

Cover Image, NE Sweets
February 18, 2026 7:00 pm

New England Sweets: Doughnuts, Bonbons & Whoopie Pies

Bird's-Eye Map of Dedham
November 19, 2025 7:00 pm

Dedham’s Place in the History of Bird’s-Eye-View Maps
November 19th, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
This talk was postponed from April 2025

Detail of the portrait of Dr. Joseph Warren by John Singleton Copley, circa 1765. Collection of the MFA, Boston.
October 15, 2025 7:00 pm

Dr. Joseph Warren, Sally Edwards, and the Problem of Inferential Leaps
October 15th, 2025
7:00 p.m.

 

Book, Bullet Strikes from the First Day of the American Revolution.
September 17, 2025 7:00 pm

Bullet Strikes from the First Day of the American Revolution

Dedham Street Signs talk--images of some of the people.
May 21, 2025 7:00 pm

The Annual Ben Fisher Memorial Lecture
Tales of the People behind those Dedham Street Signs
May 21st, 2025, 7:00 p.m. The talk was preceded by the Annual Meeting at 6:15

March lecture, Women Who Shaped Train Travel. Image: Women Workers of The Long Island Railroad during WWII.
March 19, 2025 7:00 pm
February lecture: John Quincy Adams, Reluctant Abolitionist
February 19, 2025 7:00 pm
November Speake Series: FIRE! Image: Central Fire Station, 1950s, corner of Washington and Bryant Streets.
November 20, 2024 7:00 pm

FIRE! The History of Firefighting in Dedham, Part II

Part II of the documentary on the history of firefighting in Dedham: The Modern Era. Presented by Jack Hoell, author of the film.

The final presentation of our Fall 2024 Speaker Series focuses on the modern era from the 1920s to the present. Introduced by Jack Hoell, author of the film, the documentary includes retired Fire Lieutenant Mike Lessard discussing, with moderator Dan Hart, past events before and during his thirty-seven years of service.

Click here to watch Part II of the documentary, recorded by DedhamTV.

Click here to view Part I, presented as our May 2024 Speaker Series program.

Caption: Central Fire Station, 1950s, corner of Washington and Bryant Streets. Built in 1951 and razed in 2023.

October Talk: Welcome to the Graveyard
October 16, 2024 7:00 pm

Welcome to the Graveyard: Art, History, and Symbolism of Gravestones

“Welcome to the Graveyard!” was an illustrated "virtual tour" chronicling cemetery art, history, and symbolism. From colonial New England burial grounds of the 1600s and 1700s, through the nation-wide rural cemetery movement of the 19th century, and into 21st-century locations, the program examines why we have cemeteries and gravestones, why they look like they do, and how styles and art have evolved through almost 400 years. 

The presentation included photographs of original gravestones and burial grounds from cemeteries visited through many years. Images from Dedham cemeteries and tombstones comprised many of the images, from the Old Village Cemetery to Brookdale Cemetery.

This talk was given by Brenda Sullivan of Graveyard Girls.

If you would like to watch DedhamTV's recording of the talk, click here

September Speaker, Lee McColgan and the cover of his book, "A House Restored."
September 18, 2024 7:00 pm

A House Restored: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Saving a New England Colonial Home

Old houses share their secrets only if they survive. In the first talk of our Fall Speaker Series, architectural conservator Lee McColgan will share the story of his preservation of a ramshackle house built in 1702. Trading the corporate ladder for a stepladder, he used period materials and methods to tackle the challenges of an old building while under a deadline of visitors for the holidays. McColgan’s journey examines our relationship to history through the homes we inhabit, articulating the philosophy of preserving the past to find purpose for the future.

Watch the video of this talk 
Recorded by DedhamTV

Belong To Something Lasting