About uS
The Wellesley Historical Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1925 and incorporated in 1965. Until 1975 the Wellesley Historical Society operated from a variety of locations, including the Town Hall and the Wellesley Hills Branch Library. In 1975 the Dadmun-McNamara House was purchased from the McNamara family for $1 and moved to its current location at 229 Washington Street. The house had been built in 1824 by Daniel Dadmun, one of the early tollkeepers on the Worcester Turnpike, and today the building is known as The Tollhouse.
At The Tollhouse, the Wellesley Historical Society maintains its collections, offices, and a small shop from which all proceeds support the Wellesley Historical Society.
The Society receives no operating income from the Town of Wellesley nor the State of Massachusetts. We rely on the generosity of our members and friends to carry out our mission.
In 2013, the Wellesley Historical Society purchased the Stanwood House at 323 Washington Street for $1.1 million. The house was built in 1916 and was formerly the home of Wellesley physician Dr. Frederic A. Stanwood and Mrs. Jeanette S. Stanwood. The Society paid off the mortgage in 2021 and a capital campaign was launched to raise funds to transform the house into the Wellesley History Center.
The Wellesley History Center will be the new, central location for exhibits, activities, research, and the preservation of Wellesley's history. The Wellesley History Center will provide public space in an accessible location, giving members of the community, scholars, and staff a much-needed way to access and appreciate the story of our town.
Mission
The mission of the Society is to collect, preserve, and share Wellesley’s history and inspire public involvement in and appreciation of the town’s heritage and culture. The Wellesley Historical Society engages the public through events, speaker series, walking tours, and exhibits.
We have a passion and dedication for our work and strive to “Open the Door” to the history of Wellesley, New England, the United States, and beyond.
Wellesley Historical Society
in the Community
The mission of the Society is to help everyone appreciate and learn about Wellesley’s history. We carry out this mission through social and educational events, as well as participating in community programs and celebrations throughout the year. From hosting local Scouting troops to providing tours during the annual Wellesley Wonderful Weekend, the members of the society work diligently to share history with the community.
The Wellesley Historical Society also provides an important resource to the Wellesley Town Government and Town Committees who rely on our materials and research to help make key administrative and governance decisions involving matters such as planning, zoning, and development.
Wellesley Historical Society In Schools
The Wellesley Historical Society regularly visits local schools as part of the planned curriculum, to share the story of our town with local students and get them excited about history generally.
Science, the Wellesley Historical Society, and the Denton Butterfly Collection
Our Denton Butterfly Collection is an integral part the elementrary school science curriculum in local schools. Each spring we visit third grade classrooms with specimens from our collections, teaching them about the natural world and preservation.
Wellesley Historical Society Scholarships
Each year, the Wellesley Historical Society awards a $1,000 scholarship to two graduating seniors from Wellesley High School. The scholarships are open to students who have displayed a passion for history and wish to further their studies in history or a related humanities degree.