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 2010 Annual Dinner and Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, June 17, at Wellesley Country Club and Monday, June 14, at Nehoiden Golf Club.
The Annual Dinner this year will commemorate the end of World War II 65 years ago in 1945, and World War II veterans from Wellesley will be honored. The dinner will take place on Thursday, June 17, at Wellesley Country Club, beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. followed by a sit-down dinner. There will be a silent auction to benefit the Society, a display of World War II memorabilia, and (weather permitting) an outdoor display of military vehicles from the war years. During dinner the Society will be making its annual scholarship awards to students from Wellesley. This year three students will be presented with awards of $1,000 each.
The Annual Golf Tournament will be held on the morning of Monday, June 14, at Nehoiden Golf Club. This walking course was organized in 1894 and is considered the oldest college golf club in the country. Registration and a continental breakfast will be at 6:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 7:00.
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 2009 Scholarship awards were presented to Antoni Scarano and Rebecca Lederhos at our 2009 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 Dadnum-McNamara House. For more information, please click here.
Research is by appointment. Appointments must be made ahead of time with the Executive Director by calling 781-235-6690.