At its Annual Meeting, the Natick Historical Society announced plans to reopen its museum amid a weekend filled with local history. Natick History Weekend, April 29 & 30, will feature five events, one of which will be the museum reopening on Sunday, April 30, from 1 pm to 4 pm.
“We cannot wait to welcome the public back into the museum again, and our reopening day will be a lot of fun!” says NHS Executive Director Niki Lefebvre. The reopening will feature new exhibits, including one highlighting Natick High School memorabilia. Gail Coughlin, NHS Research Manager, has been digging into the history of the high school. “What I like about this exhibit is that there’s something for everyone - no matter their age or interests. I look forward to hearing what today’s Natick High School students think about it.” In addition, the reopening will feature 18th-century land documents and 20th-century broadsides from the Natick Theatre. Visitors can also expect a vintage artisan demonstration and a free craft activity for children.
There’s more to Natick History Weekend than the museum reopening, too. The NHS will debut a new walking tour of Natick Center. Local history guide Terri Evans is thrilled to be delivering the tour. “Natick Center has a rich history,” she tells us, “but not everyone thinks of it that way. I’m looking forward to sharing those stories and allowing people to see our town center with fresh eyes.” History enthusiasts can also sign up for Vincent Vittoria’s Walnut Hill Walking Tour, Gail Coughlin’s talk on Natick During King Philips’ War, and Evans’ Oldtown Walking Tour of South Natick.
Details about Natick History Weekend can be found here on the NHS website. “It will be a lot of fun to celebrate our 150th anniversary with great local history programs,” Lefebvre says. “We hope people will sign up and celebrate with us!”
The NHS also released its Review of 2022 at its Annual Meeting. The review illuminates how busy the NHS has been despite being closed to regular visitation. Volunteers and Interns have logged over 1,500 hours, and over 1,100 people have participated in virtual and in-person programs. The full document is available online here.
For more information on the Natick Historical Society and up-to-date details on the April reopening events, follow them on Instagram (@natickhistoricalsociety) or sign up for the e-news at www.natickhistoricalsociety.org.