Preserving and Sharing Natick’s History
Through exhibitions, events, collections, and community
The Natick Historical Society builds community by inspiring connections to local history. Through research and close study of our collections, we work to recover and share the lives and experiences that history has often overlooked.
Explore rotating exhibitions, online features, and objects from Natick’s past.
Programs & Events
Join us for lectures, tours, and community programs throughout the year.
Natick Through the Years: A Historical Image Gallery
At our 150th anniversary party, we displayed a slideshow of over 250 images from Natick's past. We all enjoyed it and are delighted to share it with you! A big thanks to NHS Researcher and Archivist Jennifer Richards and our high school interns Karina Artemiev and Fred Wang.
Marion Louise Pooke: A Natick Daughter in War-Time Paris
In honor of Women’s History Month, we highlight Natick’s Marion Louise Pooke (1883–1975), who served in Paris with the American Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A. during the final months of World War I. An artist and educator, Pooke helped establish art studios in military hospitals where wounded soldiers could draw, paint, and sculpt as part of their recovery.
Her service placed her at the center of history—she even witnessed the celebrations in Paris when the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919. Through her work and later talks in Natick, she shared a powerful firsthand account of war, resilience, and hope.
The Sphinx by Marion Louise Pooke, 1914
NEW!!
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Snapshots of Natick: Exploring Our Past Through the NHS Collections
From NHS Founders Collections: Invitation from William Emerson Baker to Joshua Parmenter for a swan’s funeral at Ridge Hill Farms, c. 1870s. Part of our Founders Collection, this piece reflects Baker’s eccentric humor and flair for spectacle.
Discover the Emerson-Baker Estate: A Gilded Age Marvel in Natick’s Backyard
by Trudy Reisner
Step into the world of William Emerson Baker, an eccentric inventor, entrepreneur, and social reformer who turned Ridge Hill Farms into a spectacular estate blending scientific ideals with whimsical design. From underground caverns to glass pig invitations, Baker’s estate was a serious experiment in social progress and a playful spectacle that drew thousands of visitors in the 1870s. Explore this fascinating chapter of Natick’s history through rare artifacts, documents, maps, and photos from the Natick Historical Society’s collection.
With gratitude to Trudy Reisner, Natick Historical Society Volunteer Researcher, for her enthusiasm and dedication to uncovering and preserving Natick’s story.
Curious to learn more?