The Swellesley Report

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

‘Defying the Nazis’ film highlighting Wellesley couple being shown in Natick

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The film “Defying the Nazis,” which highlights the efforts of a Wellesley couple to help refugees escape Nazi-occupied Europe, is being shown several times at TCAN in Natick over the next 2 weeks.

Rev. Waitstill Sharp, former minister of the UU Society of Wellesley Hills, and his wife, Martha, left Wellesley Hills in 1939, and over the course of the next two years risked their lives so that hundreds could live in freedom.

The 7pm showing this Wednesday, April 27, will include a post-film Q&A with Artemis Joukowsky, grandson of the Sharps and director of the film.

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Linden Square, Wellesley
Wonderful Wellesley
Riverbend School

Save the date: Wellesley Historical Society Spring Gala is May 12

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Tickets are on sale now for the Wellesley Historical Society’s History in Bloom: A Spring Gala, taking place on Thursday, May 12, 6:30-9:30pm in the Wellesley Country Club Ballroom.

Wellesley Country Club building
The Wellesley Country Club will be the site of the Wellesley Historical Society’s fundraiser, History in Bloom: A Spring Gala.

History in Bloom: A Spring Gala is one of the Wellesley Historical Society’s largest fundraisers and is essential to the Society’s ability to continue to serve the Wellesley community. The Society is an independent 501(c)(3) organization which does not receive any regular funding from the Town of Wellesley. Funds raised will contribute to the General Operating Fund to:

  • Collect, preserve, and share Wellesley’s historical records and artifacts
  • Teach and share our history through tours, lectures, and exhibits
  • Employ professional staff to care for the collections and provide research support
  • Maintain the Society’s historic buildings
  • Create community partnerships with Wellesley’s educational and service organizations, as well as with local businesses
  • Host social events which combine food, drink, and a side of history

In addition to conducting the drawings for the winners of the accompanying raffles, the event will feature a wide variety of items from the collections for all to peruse, including paintings from well-known Wellesley artist, Mary Brewster Hazelton, plans by noted landscape architect, Charles P. Gorley, Jr., a hand-made engagement outfit showcasing needlework by the Wellesley bride-to-be and her mother, and much more. In addition, attendees will have an opportunity to play for many prizes through fun, trivia-style games while learning more about the collections and Wellesley history. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.

EVENT: History in Bloom: A Spring Gala
DATE: Thursday, May 12, 2022
TIME: 6:30-9:30pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Country Club Ballroom

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Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley

Geologic History of Wellesley talks

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The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust Educational Series, co-sponsored with the Natural Resources Commission and Wellesley Free Library, is presenting a two-part online talk on the Geologic History of Wellesley by amateur geologists. Four walks will follow at dates to be determined.

  • Part 1: Surficial Deposits — Thursday, April 14 at 7pm
  • Part 2: Bedrock — Tuesday, April 26 at 7pm

Those interested are invited to pre-register.

These visually inspiring presentations will cover 800 million years of geologic history in Wellesley, from the town’s beginning on an island arc off Africa to the formation of an extensive lake that covered over half the town. Much of the history of the geologically significant Boston Basin can be found in Wellesley, owing to the town’s unique position between fault zones and (previously) under a mile-thick continental ice sheet. Presented by:

  • Chris Crowley. Chris is an amateur naturalist and 26 year resident of Wellesley, who used his Covid semi-confinement to research and photograph the 56 local geological sites identified in Fowler-Billings’ “The Geological Story of Wellesley.”

  • Alisa Fine. Alisa has an MA in geography from the University of Colorado-Boulder and 2 young boys whom she hopes will grow up to love rocks and the outdoors as much as she does.

  • Mike Thonis. Mike has a graduate degree in earth science from MIT, and is a trustee of the Boston Museum of Science, having previously been a trustee of the Geological Society of America Foundation.

More: Wellesley, Mass., rocks

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Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend

Annual Wellesley Veterans Parade to honor Purple Heart recipients

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Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend and the 54th Annual Veterans Parade are fast approaching, and organizers are asking for the public’s support on a number of fronts.

The parade will honor local recipients of the Purple Heart, which is awarded to U.S. military members wounded or killed while serving. The committee is searching for surviving Purple Heart recipients to honor.

2021 parade hats

Having just held a COVID-delayed parade and Wonderful Weekend in October, the Celebrations Committee seeks to restock funding for the upcoming festivities. Donations as well as sponsorships, volunteers, honoree nominations, and parade participation are encouraged.

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Exercise Coach, Wellesley

Special holiday Tollhouse Shop hours & Historical Society meet/greet

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Wellesley Historical Society Meet & Greet (outside)

Special Tollhouse Shop Hours (inside)

Sunday, Dec. 5, 1pm-3pm at the Dadmun-McNamara House,  229 Washington St.

Be the first to check out new holiday inventory in the Tollhouse Shop. 100% of sales go towards the Society’s general operating fund. This is also a chance to learn more about the Historical Society and opportunities to support its mission while enjoying hot cider and cookies.

New Executive Director Taylor Kalloch, members of the board, and other supporters will be on hand to chat about the Society and its work in the community.

In the event of bad weather, the event will be postponed by the morning of Dec. 5 and rescheduled for the following Sunday, Dec. 12.

Questions? Please contact Executive Director Taylor Kalloch at [email protected]wellesleyhistoricalsociety.org

Wellesley Tollhouse Shop

Please send tips, photos, ideas to [email protected]

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Deland, Gibson Insurance, Wellesley

Wellesley Historical Society hires executive director from within

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Taylor Kalloch wellesley historical societyThe Wellesley Historical Society, having seen the good work done by Taylor Kalloch over the past 3 years as its archivist and collection manager, has named her as its new executive director. She’s been the interim director since August.

Amanda Fisher recently left the position, which she held since 2018, for a job at Simmons University

Kalloch has been with the Society since 2011 when she started as a graduate-student intern working to make collections available for research.  As executive director, Kalloch will manage daily operations of the Society and work with the Board to implement its strategic vision.

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In case you missed it: Wellesley Theatre Project honors USO

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During Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend Part II, Wellesley Theatre Project treated the crowd pre-fireworks to a song & dance performance honoring the USO.  The theme for this year’s Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend was celebrating 80 years of the United Service Organizations.

The entertainment kicks off about 10 minutes into Wellesley Media’s recording:

 

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Wellesley Pooch Parade