Natick June 2016

June 2016 Local Town Pages www.naticktownnews.com Page 3
Local Stories Shared Through Natick Historical Society
By Via Perkins,
Contributing Writer
Any Natick resident with a
penchant for history can appreciate
the extensive collections of the
Natick Historical Society (NHS).
The NHS, developed from a “cabinet
of curiosities” into the authority
on Natick history, features
a comprehensive set of archives.
Today, the organization is finding
new mediums through which to
share its knowledge.
The interior of the Natick Historical Society museum. (Photo/NHS Staff)
Preserving Natick
The town of Natick, established
as the primary community
of the Praying Indians, has always
played a special role in the
Commonwealth. The town took
the spotlight as the inspiration for
author Harriet Beecher Stowe’s
1869 novel Oldtown Folks, which
resulted in drawing many tourists.
The NHS was established one
This combination desk and
pulpit, made by Natick
Indians in about 1678, was
used by Reverend Daniel
Takawambpait, the only
Puritan minister who was
an American Indian. (Photo/
Giovanna Vitelli)t
year later.
“The Historical Society was
created in 1870 by people who
were enthusiastic about local history,
and is carried on by people
who still feel this way,” Jane
Hennedy, executive director of the
NHS, said. “All of our museum
objects, books and archival collections
have ties to this town.”
The staff carefully curates exhibitions
for display in their South
Natick space at 58 Eliot St., which
houses the Bacon Free Library
(BFL) on the upper levels, and
in other Natick facilities. NHS
has around 12,000 photographs
and early images, 500 volumes
of books, and large collections of
furniture, ceramics, jewelry and
other items.
In addition to the museum
space, NHS shares local stories
through their programs, newsletter
and publications for the enjoyment
and education of residents,
or “Natickites,” as Hennedy
fondly calls residents.
Museum and Beyond
The written introductions
to the NHS and the BFL, a collection
of North American bird
specimens and the “Natick and
the New England Character” exhibit,
featuring local authors and
thinkers, have all been recently refurbished,
and NHS is excited to
share the results. “Our permanent
displays tell just about every important
story related to the history
of this town,” Hennedy said.
Outside the museum, an NHS
exhibit, titled “From Everywhere
to Nowhere: The Story of the Passenger
Pigeon,” is on display at the
Morse Institute Library in downtown
Natick until the end of June.
“People can see a rare example of
this extinct species which sparked
early conservation efforts, and gain
some food for thought about wildlife
conservation today,” Hennedy
explained.
Starting in July, the exhibit will
change to “The Education of
Henry Wilson,” a Massachusetts
senator and the 18 th United States
vice president to President Ulysses
S. Grant. Wilson moved to Natick
from New Hampshire in 1833 at
age 21, and found work as a shoemaker
before entering politics.
Natick Books
The NHS has also found success
in sharing Natick history
through publishing. In 2015, the
society published an illustrated
book, Have You Ever Wondered . . .?
Natick Explained, which detailed the
stories behind a number of local
landmarks. A second NHS book is
now in the works.
The new book will include facts
about the Morse Institute Library,
Route 9 and Natick in the Revolutionary
War, among other subjects.
“The Publications Committee
and their cadre of volunteers are
hard at work covering more topics
that interest Natickites the most,”
Hennedy reported. “We expect it
will be released in November.”
For more information about
the Natick Historical Society, visit
www.natickhistoricalsociety.org.
Natick Girl Scouts Enjoy
State House Visit
A troop of 5th grade girl
scouts from Kennedy, Wilson and
Charles River schools visited the
State House in April. Troop coleader
Jean Borgman reported:
“The troop went on a brief tour,
saw all the cool flags, statues and
state emblems and learned who is
allowed to enter through the main
front doors. We met with Representative
David Linsky in the
House Chamber where he talked
with us and fielded our questions
about the state government and
public service. We then went into
the Senate Chamber—while they
were debating the important issue
of education reform—and were
formally introduced, in a very
welcoming and gracious way, by
Senators Karen Spilka and Richard
Ross. The three legislators
gave us another short tour, telling
us about the big round table
that may have been built by Paul
Revere. The official State House
photographer took our picture
with the elected officials! It was an
amazing learning experience, and
we felt so welcomed there.”
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