Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Bacon Free Library & Morse Institute updates

by Leave a Comment

Bacon Free Library is now open to the public for 30-minute visits by appointment only on Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am-3pm. Reservations and face coverings are required. The South Natick location’s popular curbside pickup service will continue to be offered. Book your visit here.

Bacon Free Library, Natick
Bacon Free Library, South Natick

Bacon Free curbside pickup:

Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri.: 10am-4pm
Tue.: 10am-6pm
Sat.: 10am-noon

Call 508-653-6730 or email bflpickups@gmail.com and wait for confirmation, then head to the library and wait in the designated pickup area.

Contactless home delivery:

The Natick Libraries realize that there are certain circumstances that arise that can limit the ability to get out into the community. Natick residents who are temporarily or permanently confined to their homes due to illness, disability, or any other extenuating circumstance can apply for Home Delivery Services. Staff will determine eligibility. More here.

Morse Institute updates

The Morse Institute Library will open for in-person browsing starting June 1. In-person visits will be limited to 1 hour or less, 1 person per family. Masks will be required, and social distancing standards will be in place.

Morse Institute, Natick
Morse Institute, Natick Center

More details:

  • Only the main floor will be open to the public. All soft seating has been removed and remaining seating has been spaced for safety.
  • Staff will not be able to assist with finding materials on the open floor or with public computers.
  • Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the Library.
  • Additional self-checkout optionshave been added, including the option to check out using the Minuteman App on a smart device
  • Per the Board of Health, there will be a limit of 50 people in the Library at any given time. To see if the building is near capacity, view the interactive capacity sensor before you head over to the Library. You can also view this on the screen outside the main entrance and on the digital sign in the foyer.
  • Public restrooms will be available and cleaned daily; the library cannot guarantee the restrooms are cleaned after every visit.

Additional information here on Morse Institute virtual programming, contactless pick up, delivery service, and more.

Fran's Flowers, Framingham
London Harness
Linden Square, Wellesley

Springtime in Natick

by 1 Comment

We’ve been out and about, marveling over the prettiness that is a Natick spring. We feel wrapped in freshness every time we step out the front door.

Gazebo, Natick Common
Gazebo, Natick Common

 

Shaw Park, South Natick
Shaw Park, South Natick

 

Bacon Free Library, Natick
Bacon Free Library, Natick

 

Park Street Ice Cream, Natick
Park Street Ice Cream, Natick

 

south natick spring
South Natick

For more beautiful pictures, check out our Natick Instagram page. We update it several times a week with everything from iconic spots that scream out “Natick!” to unusual sights we come across (trout stocking at Dug Pond, anyone?). Don’t forget to like our Natick Insta account while you’re enjoying the pics. It makes us feel loved.

Page Waterman, Wellesley

Natick invited to Race Amity Zoom presentation

by Leave a Comment

Natick Race Amity

The Natick Historical Society and the Bacon Free Library will co-host a Zoom presentation of WGBH’s powerful documentary series American Stories: Race Amity and The Other Tradition on Tue., Feb. 2, 6:30pm – 8pm. This presentation will include a brief introduction to the film by Dr. William H. Smith (creator, executive producer, and writer of the series), a reading from the book Race Amity: A Primer on America’s Other Tradition, a viewing of the film Race Amity: America’s Other Tradition, a commentary by Dr. Smith, and a Q&A Session.

WHS Media Productions LLC created this documentary for the promotion of cross-racial and cross-cultural understanding.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Advanced registration is required to access the Zoom link. Please register using the link here, and allow 3-5 days for a confirmation email with the link from the Natick Historical Society.

Natick program for kids and families: Working with dangerous animals

by Leave a Comment

What is it like to work with animals like cobras or rattlesnakes? Find out on Wed., Jan. 20, 4pm – 5pm via Zoom during this exciting program geared towards kids and families. Find out what some scientists are learning about venomous snakes by studying them in the wild and captivity. Learn how animal keepers and scientists stay safe when working with captive alligators or wild crocodiles. Why is it important to train captive polar bears and sea lions?

Natick, wildlife presentation
Joy Marzolf, naturalist, educator and photographer

Naturalist, educator, and photographer Joy Marzolf will cover all these topics and more. Learn all about working with dangerous animals from someone who has personally worked with venomous snakes, massive pythons, snapping alligators, huge polar bears, and more. Don’t miss meeting some live animals at the end.

PRESENTER: Joy Marzolf
DATE: Wed., Jan. 20, 2021
TIME: 4pm-5p,
ZOOM ACCESS: Use the form to register and get an email containing the link to join.

Natick Historical Society & Bacon Free Library upcoming events

by Leave a Comment

Everyone is welcome to join a virtual discussion of The Nightingale (2018) by Kristin Hannah on

The Nightingale

This program is co-sponsored with the Bacon Free Library. It is FREE and open to the public.

If you are interested in joining this virtual book discussion, email: director@natickhistoricalsociety.org.

About The Nightingale

In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France…but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a German captain requisitions Vianne’s home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates all around them, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive.

Save the date for Race Amity presentation

Natick Race Amity

The Natick Historical Society and the Bacon Free Library will co-host a Zoom presentation of WGBH’s powerful documentary series American Stories: Race Amity and The Other Tradition on Tue., Feb. 2, 6:30pm – 8pm. This presentation will include a brief introduction to the film by Dr. William H. Smith (creator, executive producer, and writer of the series), a reading from the book Race Amity: A Primer on America’s Other Tradition, a viewing of the film Race Amity: America’s Other Tradition, a commentary by Dr. Smith, and a Q&A Session.

WHS Media Productions LLC created this documentary for the promotion of cross-racial and cross-cultural understanding.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Advanced registration is required to access the Zoom link. Please register using the link here, and allow 3-5 days for a confirmation email with the link from the Natick Historical Society.