The mission of the Wellesley Historical Society is to serve as the historical resource center for the town of Wellesley; to provide educational programs; to collect, interpret and display materials pertaining to the history of the town and its people; to inspire public involvement in and appreciation of its heritage and culture.
The 2012 Annual Dinner will take place on Thursday, June 28 at the Wellesley Country Club.
The Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, June 25 at the Nehoiden Golf Course.
Historical Society Reception at the Hunnewell EstateA reception to benefit the Wellesley Historical Society was held on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the historic Hunnewell mansion. The reception included music, wine and hors d’oeuvres, a display from the Society’s Denton Butterfly Collection, and a talk on the Hunnewells by historian and Wellesley resident Allyson Hayward.
Photographs from the reception at the Hunnewell Mansion are available on the Wellesley Weston Magazine blog.
The 2012 Scholarship awards will be announced soon.
The 2011 Scholarship awards were presented to Bianca Calderone, Cody Schwass and James Sullivan at the 2011 annual dinner. This scholarship program provides educational assistance for promising youth in Wellesley and encourage their community involvement and appreciation of the rich historical heritage of Wellesley. This furthers the role of WHS in preserving the past to benefit our future.
Read about the 2008 Scholarship Awards presented to Jeffrey ver Planck and Luci Lafitte at our 2008 Annual Dinner.
The Wellesley Historical Society was founded in 1925 and incorporated in 1965. It resided in a number of locations, including the Town Hall and Wellesley Hills Branch Library, until 1975 when the 1824 Dadmun-McNamara House was moved to its current location, a gift of the McNamara Family. The Historical Society owns the Dadmun-McNamara House, but not the land it sits on. It is held by the Historical Society on a 99 year lease (until 2074).
The Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization funded entirely by annual membership dues, annual appeals, fund-raising events, and grants. The Society receives no funds from the tax rolls of Wellesley.
In November 2006, the Society began a new venture - The Tollhouse Shop – entirely organized and staffed by volunteers. Antiques, gently used possessions, and gifts are now on sale at the Shop in the Dadmun-McNamara House. For more information, please click here.
Research is by appointment. Appointments must be made ahead of time by contacting the Curator, Kathleen Fahey, at 781-235-6690 or kfahey@wellesleyhistoricalsociety.org
Wellesley Historical Society Publications are available for purchase, for more information, please click here.