Remembering Jim Morley
We are saddened to announce the passing of James Morley, scholar, author, and transformational leader of the Natick Historical Society (NHS), on September 27. During Jim’s decade on the NHS board, including five years as president, he led the introduction of professional staff to the organization, the early re-envisioning of the museum space, and a reawakening of community interest in Natick history.
He was a tenacious researcher with a remarkable depth of knowledge of Natick's history. A compelling storyteller, he made history accessible, weaving together the threads of Natick’s story for countless audiences.
He was the author of three books on Natick's history, including From Many Backgrounds (2007), Hometown Natick, 1945-2000 (2011), and the comprehensive Natick 1651-2000: The Many Lives of a Storied New England Town (2019).
Jim Morley moved to Natick with his wife, Barbara, in 1999 after retiring from Columbia University, though it was in many ways a homecoming. In his genealogical research, he traced his ancestry to James Draper. Draper, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1636, was a member of John Eliot’s church in Roxbury, and his descendants once owned Draper Farm on the west side of Pegan Hill.
Our thoughts are with his family.
Natick Historical Society Statement on the Natick Town Seal
It is important to understand the history of Natick’s town seal and how it has changed over time. Natick’s current town seal reflects a view of Natick’s founding as it was generally understood in 1951. Over the last 70 years, historians have shed new light on the town's early history. The Natick Historical Society is prepared to provide research and documentation that will aid the Town in its deliberations as to whether or not the Town Seal should be kept, revised, or replaced.
The Natick Historical Society archives all town seals and will continue to do so any time revisions are incorporated, or new seals are adopted.
Click HERE to learn about the history of Natick’s town seals.
Watch "Reading Frederick Douglass"
On Thursday, July 2, members of the Natick community came together on the Morse Institute Library lawn for a shared public reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” from 1852. Inspired by the Mass Humanities’ Reading Frederick Douglass series, the Natick Historical Society gathered fifteen young people from Natick schools to take turns reading portions of Douglass’ speech.
CLICK HERE to watch a recording of the event by Natick Pegasus.
CLICK HERE to read an article by the Metrowest Daily News covering the event.
CLICK HERE for the full text of the speech courtesy of Mass Humanities.
Thank you to Mass Humanities for the inspiration and resources, Natick Pegasus for filming the event, the Morse Institute Library for lending their space to us, Wellesley College Associate Professor of History Brenna Greer for her introductory remarks, and, of course, to our incredible readers: Laila, Maya, Kevin, Hildy, Alexa, Helen, Tia, Andy, Juliana, Marley, Daniel, Gabe, Ilir, Ellery, and Arwen.
Photographs courtesy of Mike Pojman.
Watch "Natick Remembers" with John H. Garabedian
We are delighted to share “Natick Remembers” featuring John H. Garabedian, founder of Natick's radio station WGTR/1060 AM, and a nationally recognized radio and television personality. John’s talk with Joe Weisse covers his early years in AM radio at WORC in Worcester and his work running WGTR in Natick. You’ll learn a lot and smile as he describes what it was like to oversee the first radio show to cover the Boston Marathon - en route in Natick!
Thank you to Natick Pegasus, Joe Weisse, and, of course, to John H. Garabedian.
CLICK HERE to watch.
Watch "Natick Remembers" with Ricky Ball
We're delighted to share "Natick Remembers" featuring Ricky Ball, the first woman to serve on Natick's Board of Selectman. Her interview with Joe Weisse is both informative and deeply moving. You won't want to miss it! Thank you to Natick Pegasus, Joe, and, of course, Ricky.
CLICK HERE to watch.
Natick Days Trivia Quiz!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table at Natick Days last weekend, especially those who took the Natick Historical Trivia Quiz challenge! Congratulations to Mike Linehan, who won the drawing for a free copy of one of our historical maps. See the answers to the trivia questions below:
1. Where was the Worcester Turnpike?
A: Present-day Route 9
2. What stands on the site of the Natick Drive-In?
A: Cloverleaf Mall, mostly (and part of the Hampton Inn)
3. What man, son of a Natick Indian mother, was one of the first casualties of the American Revolution?
A: Crispus Attucks, who was killed in the Boston Massacre
4. How did Natick get its nickname "Home of Champions"?
A: From the Natick Union Hook & Ladder Co's 1891 victory in a "world championship" among fire companies in a series of contests, including hooking up hoses and erecting ladders*
5. What author made Natick famous with the book "Oldtown Folks"?
A: Harriet Beecher Stowe
BONUS QUESTION: What year did Natick's now-famous July 4 parade begin?
A: 1955
*Learn more about the history of the Natick Fire Department at our fall event on Oct. 30th!