Wellesley Historical Society has 2 walks scheduled this fall

September 19, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Historical Society Walking Tours for Fall 2017

A WALK THROUGH WELLESLEY COLLEGE

Saturday, September 23, at 9:00 a.m. (Rain date is Sunday, September 24.)

The Historical Society will offer “A Walk through Wellesley College” on Saturday, September 23. The two-mile, 90-minute tour will visit several parts of the campus and include stops inside the Houghton Memorial Chapel and Great Hall in Tower Court. Interested participants should plan to meet at 9:00 a.m. at the pedestrian walkway entrance to the college at the corner of Weston Road and Central Street.

THE RISE AND FALL OF INDUSTRY IN THE LOWER FALLS

Saturday, October 7, at 10:00 a.m.

This 90-minute tour will begin at the Charles River behind Starbucks at 2322 Washington Street in Newton. We’ll explore and discuss industry in the Lower Falls from the 17th century through the 20th century. Participants should expect to walk about one mile.

All tours are free for members of the Wellesley Historical Society and $5 per person for non-members.

For more information, call (781) 235-6690, or email [email protected]

Wellesley College Davis Museum events — Fall opening; sand mandala construction

September 18, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Join the Davis on Tuesday, September 19, 6pm – 9pm to celebrate the opening of its fall 2017 exhibitions—including six special installations that bring spectacular energy and creative visual innovation to the Wellesley College campus. Welcome visiting artist Eddie Martinez in debuting his major solo exhibition, Ants at a Picknic, and enjoy a first look at Hrair Sarkissian: Horizon, Martin Luther: Protest In Print, Life on Paper: Contemporary Prints from South Africa, Soong Mayling: Paintings, and David Teng Olsen: Smoked My Head on Yes Waters.

Wellesley College, visiting Buddhists — Over the course of three weeks, visiting monks from the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, New York will construct a Tibetan Buddhist sand mandala at The Davis Museum at Wellesley College. Photo credit: Wellesley College.

The public is invited to an opening ceremony on Wednesday, September 20 at 11am at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College of a richly complex Medicine Buddha Mandala, a form imbued with powerful healing properties.

Over the course of three weeks, visiting monks from the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, New York will construct a Tibetan Buddhist sand mandala amidst the mandala paintings of artist Eddie Martinez. The Medicine Buddha Mandala is considered the mind or palace of the Medicine Buddha, also known as the healing Buddha. Tibetan Buddhists believe that those suffering from mental or physical afflictions can potentially be healed by seeing this mandala because the visual impression goes deep into the subconscious.

After the opening ceremony, the mandala will be open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays, 11am – 1pm, and 2pm – 5pm daily until October 11.

Wellesley observes 16th anniversary of Sept. 11

September 11, 2017 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

At the Wellesley Hills Fire Department Headquarters on Route 9, Wellesley this morning observed the 16 year anniversary of the September 11 attacks. A crowd of about 30 people were on hand to remember the events and those who died in New York City; Washington, D.C.; and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. A total of 2,977 people were killed on 9/11/2001. Of those who died, 343 were New York City firefighters, 23 were New York City police officers, and 31 were officers at the Port Authority.

I spoke with Fire Chief Rick DeLorie who said, “As long as I’m here, we intend to hold this service every year to remember those who died and were injured on 9/11.”

The 9/11 memorial observances are held inside the station, so vehicles are parked outside at the ready in case of emergency. A call did indeed come in.

Wellesley, September 11 — Rabbi Moshe Bleich from Wellesley Weston Chabad was on hand to deliver remarks and prayers. Fire Chief Rick DeLorie, left.

Wellesley, Sept. 11 — The Wellesley Fire Rescue Honor Guard.

Unfinished business: Remembering Wellesley residents killed in World War I

September 8, 2017 by bbrown Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s Tory DeFazio, Wellesley Public Media and others have joined to produce an excellent video discussing the Memorial Grove of trees planted in honor of returning WWI veterans, as well as those who did not return. English Elms that had been planted for the 6 deceased Wellesley veterans are now gone, but new Redbud trees are going to be planted in the veterans’ honor, plus a granite bench and interpretive plaque will be installed.

Wellesley Historical Society director departing

August 18, 2017 by bbrown 1 Comment

Erica Dumont, who has served as executive director of the Wellesley Historical Society since late 2013, has announced that she is leaving to take on a similar role at the Lexington Historical Society. She’ll find no shortage of history to executive direct about there.

During her time at Wellesley Historical Society, Dumont brought great energy and organizational skills to her job, arranging countless events, from kids’ activities to historic house tours to graveyard history tours. As a Wellesley Historical Society board member in recent years, I had the pleasure of working closely with Erica, and wish her the best.

Erica Dumont, Wellesley Historical Society

Outgoing Wellesley Historical Society Executive Director Erica Dumont at Village Church burying ground tour in 2015 (Photo by Chris Mayer)

“Since I began working in Wellesley in December 2013, I have met so many people who have had a positive impact on my life and career. I’ve learned more than I thought possible about archives, museums, and nonprofit organizations, and got to know the Wellesley community and the wonderful things it has to offer,” Dumont wrote to Historical Society supporters.

Kathleen Fahey, the society’s curator, will serve as interim director, and can be reached at [email protected]wellesleyhistoricalsociety.org or (781) 235-6690.