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Natick, Newton historical groups create multimedia story about local Indigenous people

November 10, 2022 by Admin Leave a Comment

The Natick Historical Society and Historic Newton have published a multimedia story that highlights the experiences of Massachusett and Nipmuc people between 1646 and 1660 in the areas that are now Natick and Newton.

The story strives to consider viewpoints of the European and Indigenous people in telling the story of John Eliot’s Christian mission and the native people who lived in mission settlements.

The historical groups say the exhibit is timely in that both Natick and Newton are looking to redesign their municipal seals, which each show Eliot preaching to an audience of Indigenous people.

Newton’s historical museums are open. The Natick Historical Society remains open by appointment only.

natick historical museum society

 

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Filed Under: Embracing diversity, History

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We toured Natick’s historic Walnut Hill neighborhood

November 9, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

We joined Natick Historical Society volunteer and local tour guide Vincent Vittoria for a walking tour of Natick’s Walnut Hill neighborhood earlier this fall when the foliage set off the beautiful homes of the historic area.

Vittoria, a Walnut Hill resident, gave a group of about 15 an engaging 90-minute walk and talk (and some gossipy tidbits) that covered the people, historic mansions, street names, and more that brought the history 19-century times to life. We heard of a former golf course, a carriage house on the move, the old baseball factory, and the Bacon School, which had a tube through which kids would slide out for fire drills (the school was located at what’s now the Loker Park playground).

By looking at the current state of Walnut Hill vs. old photos, we could see how free of construction the hill once was, and how many steeples used to be below.

Our tour started at the war memorial park near the railroad pedestrian bridge and coursed through Walnut, Winnemay (named after a couple of horses?), Highland, Florence, Shattuck, and others.

Here are some pics:

Walnut Hill, Natick, octagonal house

 

Walnut Hill, Natick

 

Walnut Hill, Natick

 

Walnut Hill, Natick

 

Walnut Hill, Natick

 

Walnut Hill history tour

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Filed Under: Community, History, Natick Historical Society



Walking Tour of Natick’s Historic Walnut Hill Neighborhood

October 6, 2022 by Admin 1 Comment

Join local tour guide Vincent Vittoria for a walking tour of Natick’s historic Walnut Hill neighborhood. Come learn about the people, historic mansions, and other stories that give Walnut Hill such a fascinating history.

The tour will meet downtown on the pedestrian bridge over the train tracks (2 South Ave.) and begin at 2pm on Oct. 15. It will last about 90 minutes.

This tour is capped at 15 people. This program is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is required.

Walnut Hill School, Natick


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Filed Under: History

Natick dam discussion: There’s more to say

October 3, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Voices quavered. Town employees had their honor defended. Facts were stated and dismissed.

Just another South Natick Dam discussion.

This latest entry into the growing collection of public forums about whether the town should repair or remove the Charles River dam in South Natick took place at the Sept. 28 Select Board meeting, about 2 hours in and lasted roughly 80 minutes. The Board has received a report from an Advisory Committee, and now is discussing the matter amongst itself, but with input and questions from the public at meetings like this. The Board has also been fielding dozens and dozens of emails, with Board member Michael Hickey crediting Board Chair Paul Joseph for his thorough replies (I’ve been on the receiving end of Joseph’s replies to questions about other topics and can vouch for his attentiveness.)

The schedule from here looks something like this:

  • The Board met Monday, Oct. 3 at town hall and online and featured dam discussion, including a public forum that lasted more than an hour and a half, starting just after the 1-hour mark on the Pegasus recording.
  • The Select Board will hold an executive session on Oct. 12 to cover things it can’t discuss publicly yet (legal stuff). Not sure of specifics here, but the issue of riparian rights had been raised at one point by an attorney representing a property owner.
  • The Board expects to hold more public discussion at its Oct. 19 meeting. That’s the soonest the Board might make a decision.

I won’t get into a play-by-play account of the meeting, which featured some familiar faces saying familiar things, but also some new blood and new questions or points. About two-thirds of the 16 public speakers indicated support for the Advisory Committee’s recommendation to remove the spillway, better known as the waterfall. (Disclaimer: We’re river neighbors).

Among the questions raised were whether the town has had an arborist rate the health of the trees on the dam (yes, as they are part of the town’s shade tree inventory), whether just removing the trees would be the cheapest solution (perhaps not since other fixes would be needed to bring the dam’s condition from poor to good, says the town engineer), and how to quantify the probability of dam failure (the town’s looking into that one).

One speaker noted that the last forum on the dam seemed to include mostly public speakers on one side of the issue, and emphasized that there may be many more viewpoints that aren’t being seen by the public in the form of emails. So she felt compelled to show up and speak, stating “A lot of us feel extremely confident and respectful of the [Advisory Committee’s] time and their recommendation and we fully support it and don’t feel the need to be here because of that. So I am here because I have been speaking to people for many months just like everyone else and we firmly respect and request that the committee’s recommendations of not just removing the spillway but creating a new fun environment for us all…”

While one environmental organization rep stated removal is the clear choice for the health of the river, citing the Advisory Committee’s work and other removals or breaches along the main stem of the Charles, it was unclear how many of those involved dams that the public actually cared about whether they stayed. Another speaker pointed out that a couple of dams have been considered for removal, but were retained due to aesthetics (and as a town employee noted, because they were so close to other dams).

Perhaps the rarer speakers at this meeting were a couple of people who said they’d be fine either way. A longtime paddler said the river will have its low spots after dam removal, but getting out of the boat and wading for a bit is something he’s used to doing. “I’m easy with it either way,” he said, so very chill.  Another speaker said “I think we just have to move on, find out what the unknowns are by beginning the process… I think we’re arguing over something endlessly that basically is going to work out fine.”

In that vein, Joseph reminded all that the town has limited resources to manage many important issues today, from the dam to public health to affordable housing and transportation. While more discussion will be welcomed in the weeks to come, the town will also rely on the expertise of its staff and advisors as it zeroes in on a decision about the dam.

natick dam log

(Disclaimer: We’re river neighbors.)


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Filed Under: Charles River dam, Environment, Government, History

Still time to apply for Natick Cultural Council grants

September 26, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Natick Cultural Council is accepting grant applications until Oct. 17 from those who have great ideas for arts, humanities or science projects that would benefit the Natick community.

The Council has more than $14K to divvy up for projects in fiscal year 2023.

Last year’s grants ranged from $200 to $1,000, and included programs such as hip hop dance chair exercise for seniors, know Natick history, and juggling.

Ask questions of the Council at natickculturalcouncil@gmail.com

We once scored a Wellesley Cultural Council grant for a project called Wellesley Dump Art.

dump art

 


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Filed Under: Art, Community, Entertainment, History, Music

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