All Programs take place at the Needham History Center & Museum’s UPPER FALLS SCHOOLHOUSE (1147 Central Avenue), and are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

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NEW! Crossing Borders: the shared history of Needham, Wellesley, Natick, and Newton. Four events, April 28 – June 4. Details HERE.

Also check out our History Book Group!

2018-2019 Calendar:

OCTOBER

Sunday, October 7th, 11 am to 3 pm – Needham’s Walk thru History
Enjoy a self-guided tour through the familiar places that you only thought you knew well and learn the hidden history behind the places you see every day.  It’s FREE!  Maps and information at www.needhamhistory.org/HistoryWalk

BOOK GROUP – Tuesday, October 23, 10 am – Lost Kingdom: Hawaii’s Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America’s First Imperial Adventure (Julia Siler)

NOVEMBER

LUNCH BREAK!  Monday, November 5, 1 pm – Mr. Baker’s Fairyland of the Beautiful and Bizarre.
Gloria Greis, Executive Director, Needham History Center.  At Waterstone at Wellesley, 24 Washington Street, Wellesley.  In the 1860s, William Emerson Baker retired from his sewing machine business with a vast fortune and purchased nearly 800 acres in Needham – the famous Ridge Hill Farms. Widely regarded as America’s first amusement park, Ridge Hill Farms embodied Baker’s extraordinary passion for social and economic reform, experimental agriculture, bad puns and practical jokes.

November 11, Sunday, 2 pm.  Needham, Over There and Over Here
Gloria Greis, Executive Director, Needham History Center.  November 11, 2018 is the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, ending World War 1.  A lecture and accompanying exhibit will show how Needham participated – both at home, and Over There.

November 14, Wednesday, 6 – 9 pm.  Dinner with the Phantom Gourmet
At the Needham Golf Club.  Join us as we celebrate the events of the year and look forward to the year ahead. Get the dish (ha!) on Boston-area restaurants from The Phantom Gourmet!  Tickets are $50.

BOOK GROUP – Tuesday, November 27, 10 am – The Guns of August (Barbara Tuchman)

DECEMBER

LUNCH BREAK!  Tuesday, December 4, 12 pm – Postcards from Needham and Wellesley.
Alden Ludlow, Wellesley Historical Society.  At the Needham History Center, 1147 Central Avenue, Needham.  The advent of the penny postcard in 1900 revolutionized postal communication. But these little missives were also artistic gems, among the first ‘color photos’ of their day. Explore these beautiful small glimpses of our towns’ history.  Sponsored by North Hill.

December 9, Sunday, 12 – 5 pm.  Holiday Shopping Day in our new Gift Shop!
Join us for some holiday treats as you join us for the Grand Opening of our newly-renovated Gift Shop, and find Needham gifts for everyone on your list.

JANUARY

BOOK GROUP – Tuesday, January 22, 10 am – Eleanor of Aquitaine (Alison Weir)

FEBRUARY

February 9, Saturday, 7 – 11 pm.  Champagne & Chocolate: a Fundraiser to Benefit the History Center’s Schoolhouse Programs  At Knight Auditorium, Babson College.  Champagne & Chocolate is back! Come join us at this special evening that features live music from the Tom Nutile Band, hearty hors d’oeuvre, decadent chocolate desserts, and of course bubbly champagne! Info at needhamhistory.org/tickets.

BOOK GROUP – Tuesday, February 26, 10 am – The Peabody Sisters (Megan Marshall)

MARCH

March 11, Monday, 7 pm.  Whiskey Talk & Tasting  MORE Info Here
Donal from Glendalough Distillery, and The James Pub & Provisions.  Get ready for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities with an introduction to some fabulous whiskeys and the stories behind the distillery.  Over 21 only please.

BOOK GROUP – Tuesday, March 26, 10 am – A Gentleman in Moscow (Amor Towles)

APRIL

April 13, Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm.  The 37th (wow!) Annual Pansy Day Festival
For kids and adults!  Celebrate Spring, and Needham’s official flower with food, gifts, workshops, games, and activities.

BOOK GROUP – Tuesday, April 23, 10 am – The Last Days of Dogtown (Anita Diamant)

MAY

May 5, Sunday, 2 pm.  New England Legends, with Jeff Belanger
At the North Hill Auditorium, 865 Central Avenue.  Jeff is back!  And this time he has stories to tell about New England’s many mysteries, histories, and not-always-explainable happenings.

BOOK GROUP – Tuesday, May 283, 10 am – Charlotte Bronte: a Fiery Heart (Claire Harman)

JUNE

BOOK GROUP – June – TBD – our Annual book-related field trip

We thank our Program Sponsor, North Hill