Calendar & Events, 2021 – 2022
All events are at the Needham History Center, 1147 Central Avenue, unless otherwise noted. All programs are open to the public.
Recorded programs are available for viewing on the Needham History Center’s YouTube page. Programs and documentaries are also available on The Needham Channel’s Documentaries page.
We thank our Program Sponsor North Hill for their generous support of our annual Events Calendar.
SEPTEMBER
September 29 (Wednesday) at 12:00 pm – Lunch and Presentation: Tinseltown Inventor
Judith Kalaora, History At Play (TM, LLC)
Tinseltown Inventor – The Most Beautiful Woman in the World, Hedy Lamarr. An acclaimed one-woman performance chronicling the life of Hollywood icon and inventor Hedy Lamarr.
At the MIT Endicott House, 80 Haven Street, Dedham.
This event has SOLD OUT
OCTOBER
This Event has been POSTPONED – we will reschedule soon!
October 24 (Sunday) at 2:00 pm – Exhibit Opening and Reception
- Deja View: a Look Backward at Needham through the Cartoons of Bob Larsen. A witty and affectionate take on events in Needham, from Bob’s unique perspective.
- The Game of Life. An interactive look at the changing perceptions of children’s play and leisure, using antique games in our collection. Made possible by a generous grant from BID-Needham.
NOVEMBER
November 17 (Wednesday) at 7:00 pm – Brilliant Beacons: a History of the American Lighthouse
Set against the backdrop of an expanding nation, Brilliant Beacons traces the evolution of America’s lighthouse system, highlighting the political, military, and technological battles fought to illuminate the nation’s hardscrabble coastlines.
“This program is supported in part by a grant from the Needham Council for Arts and Culture, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.”
DECEMBER
December 1 (Wednesday), 6:00-9:00 pm – Winter Reception and Concert
Tom Nutile Big Band. at Milas Hall, Olin College.
Kick off the winter with some tasty nibbles and a Big Band concert from the Tom Nutile Band! This event is free, but space is limited and Registration is required. (Donations gratefully accepted).
This event is SOLD OUT
JANUARY
January 12 (Wednesday) at 7:00 pm – Vikings on the Charles, or The Strange Saga of Dighton Rock, Norumbega, and Rumford Double-Acting Baking Powder. (via ZOOM)
Gloria Greis, Executive Director, Needham History Center.
Why is there a statue of Leif Eriksson on Comm Ave? How did Boston, of all places, become identified with the Vinland of Viking legend? And what does Rumford Double-Acting Baking Powder have to with all this? The story is more complicated than you’d think.
Missed it? Want to share it? This talk is posted on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/1HQ3amSGX4Y
FEBRUARY
February 6 – 12, 2022 – Champagne & Chocolate Gift Package!
A gift for your Sweetie, your friends, yourSELF – anyone who deserves a treat!
MARCH
March 23, 2022 (Wednesday) at 7:00 pm – The Road to Revolution (In person + Zoom)
Gloria Greis, Executive Director, Needham History Center
As he sent the Needham militia off with his blessing, on the morning of April 19, 1775, the rev. Samuel West was worried. He had reason to be – what was a small group of farmers with minimal military training doing, going up against the strongest army in the world? In preparation for Needham2Arlington on April 9, learn the story of Needham’s participation in the Lexington Alarm.
This program will be offered both in-person and on Zoom. Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89700665816?pwd=eTlrMmFDM0o0K0ZQU1h4bzlkQnVBdz09
Meeting ID: 897 0066 5816 / Passcode: 27866
APRIL
April 9, 2022 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 2:00 pm – Pansy Day Festival
Pansy Day = Spring! We will have pansy plants of all sizes — flats, potted and hanging in an array of vibrant colors. Items from the History Center Gift and Heirloom Shops will also be available for browsing and purchase. Click HERE for more information about Pansy Day.
April 9, 2022 (Saturday), 9:00 am-3:00 pm – Needham2Arlington
Needham2Arlington, the Needham History Center, and Needham Park & Rec.
A community walk along the route that the Needham militia took on April 19, 1775. Headed for Lexington, they were diverted to Arlington instead, where they met the retreating British troops for the harshest and bloodiest battle of that day. The walk leaves from Townsend Green (Central Avenue at Nehoiden Street), and ends 12 miles later at the Jason Russell House in Arlington, the scene of the day’s battle. The Russell House is now a property of the Arlington Historical Society, who is kindly hosting the arrival.
(Please Note – Because of the nonprofit status of the Needham History Center and the Arlington Historical Society, and per our agreements with the participating towns, uniforms (current or historic) and/or political statements cannot be permitted at this event.)
Registration is required. Registration and Information HERE.
The Route (useful to take with you) is HERE
MAY
May 25 (Wednesday), 4:00 – 7:00 pm – Concert and Picnic on the Lawn, with Jam Sandwich This event has been POSTPONED to a later date
Help us kick off summer with a food-truck picnic, and some fine tunes by Needham band Jam Sandwich!
