Recent Events and Features: October 2014 - Weston Historical Society

Field School Commemoration

June 8, 2014

The community celebration on June 8th was a last chance to see the Field School before its imminent demolition. A committee formed by the school department planned an afternoon of activities including an exhibit of photos and memorabilia from the collection of the Weston Historical Society. Pam Fox gave a short slide lecture on the history of the school.

The images below were captured at the event.

Anna Melone, shown with photos from the 1950s Weston High School (now Field School). The photos were part of an exhibit by the Weston Historical Society.

Moshers — Cindy and Bob Mosher at the Field School Commemoration.

Fran Howell and other attendees were invited to write on the walls.

Cheryl Maloney and Matt Lucey — Dr. Cheryl Maloney, superintendent of Weston Schools, and Matt Lucey, principal of Field School, with a drawing of the new Field School.

Gloria and Alanna — Gloria Cole and Alanna Muldoon, both of Weston Media Center, there to record the event, are usually behind the camera, not in front of it.

Writing on the wall — Field School will soon be demolished. The Modern-style building has served the town for 64 years since opening in January 1950.

Additional information on the Field School can be found in the Spring 2007 Weston Historical Society Bulletin.

Note: this is currently the oldest Recent Feature that we've added to the new version of the website, but the rest are on the way!

Walking Tour of Weston's Two Oldest Cemeteries

Sunday, October 19

Rain or Shine

Cemeteries are outdoor museums of history and art and important landscaped spaces. Pam Fox will look not only at who's buried in Weston's two oldest cemeteries but also at changes in tombstone styles, materials, and placement between the time of the Farmers Burying Ground (established 1703) and Central Cemetery (established 1792).

2:00 pm Meet at the Golden Ball Tavern

Refreshments and tour of the museum

2:30 pm Pam Fox will lead a walk down Boston Post Road to the Farmers' Burying Ground (corner Colpitts Road) and from there to Central Cemetery (corner Linwood Road).

Co-sponsored by the Weston Historical Society and Golden Ball Museum

Weston Historical Society's Annual Meeting and Lecture

Thursday, November 6

Weston Public Library Community Room

All are welcome

6:45 PM Refreshments

7:00 PM Annual Meeting

7:30 PM Lecture by Michael Lisicky:

A. Lincoln Filene & Boston's Great Specialty Store

Lincoln Filene, president of the famous Boston department store founded by his father in 1870, became a Weston resident after purchasing 40 acres in Weston in 1909. His Tudor-style mansion stood on what is now Coburn Road until it was demolished in the late 1930s.

Michael Lisicky is author of the book Filenes: Boston's Great Specialty Store. In addition to lecturing and writing about famous department stores, Lisicky is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and oboist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Save the Date

Friday, January 9
Weston Historical Society Members Evening

Join us for wine, hors d'oeuvres, and dessert at the Josiah Smith Tavern barn. This special members-only event will provide opportunity for socializing and informal discussion of the Weston Historical Society, past, present, and future.

Upcoming Event of Interest

We would like to notify WHS members of the following historical lecture that might be of interest. On Tuesday, September 30 at 6 pm, Mary Fuhrer will give a talk at the Golden Ball Tavern Museum, 662 Boston Post Road, on her book A Crisis of Community: The Trials and Transformation of a New England Town, 1815-1848. The book addresses the social, political and economic changes that occurred in Boylston, MA, from 1815 to 1848. Mary lovingly brings to life Boylston's inhabitants as they struggle to cope with the waves of change that drastically alter their environment. It is a small leap to see that Boylston's problems and progress are very similar to those of Weston and other farm towns in these years. Her study beautifully illuminates this often neglected period.

Mary will be selling her books at a 40% discount on the night of the talk.

If you are interested in attending please email the Golden Ball Tavern Museum at gbtmuseum@gmail.com.

Henderson House For Sale

A significant Weston landmark is now on the market. Northeastern University, owner of the magnificent Tudor-style Edward R. Peirce House (also known as Henderson House) has listed the 10-bedroom, 16,463-square-foot mansion for $7,795,000. The hilltop property encompasses 5.62 acres.

The Peirce House is the only remaining Tudor estate house in Weston and one of the most significant of about a dozen remaining estate houses in Weston. It retains a wealth of architectural detail, both inside and out.

The present house is the second to be built on the site, replacing a 1903 mansion of similar style built for Arthur Winship Clapp. Edward Peirce bought the Clapp House in 1908. On New Year's Day, 1925, while Mr. and Mrs. Peirce were in California for the winter, fire destroyed the former Clapp House. It was rebuilt using a similar floorplan and style. Below are photographs of the original 1903 house and the rebuilt 1926-28 version. Notice the similarities and differences.

Additional history and images of Henderson House can be found on this page.*

(* page not yet added to new website)