Lincoln Anniballi and the Making of the Henry Wilson & The Civil War Podcast

An illuminating set of podcasts and a well-researched biography about Henry Wilson (1812-1875) has been created by Lincoln Anniballi of Natick, a Natick High School graduate who is majoring in political science and history at Hofstra University. He has spent two years assembling an in-depth website presentation of Wilson’s life, his success as a Natick shoemaker, and his national prominence as a senator and a highly principled vice president serving in the Ulysses Grant administration. In our short feature below, you can learn more about Wilson, Anniballi, and the making of the Henry Wilson & The Civil War podcasts.

Watch our feature to learn more about the making of Henry Wilson & The Civil War. (Film by Don Porter)

The highlight of his free online presentation—check out www.henrywilsonhistory.com—is a growing set of podcasts on Wilson’s life, his work, and his roles in the American Civil War.

Anniballi has posted over one dozen podcasts (ranging from 5 to 43 minutes) relating Wilson’s involvement in public policy before, during, and after the Civil War. Wilson served as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts for 18 years before being elected as Grant’s vice president in 1872. The project aims to tell the story of Wilson’s life and explore its context—Anniballi describes how Wilson “was fighting for morality and civil rights” in the national turmoil of the mid-19th century. A variety of historians and experts were interviewed for the podcasts.

The Natick Historical Society has collaborated with Anniballi to make his work more widely available. Subscribe to the podcasts HERE today.

In addition to the podcasts, learn more about Wilson on the Society’s website, CLICK HERE.

In the Society’s collections is Wilson’s wallet. CLICK HERE.

Reading Frederick Douglass in Natick 2022

The Natick Historical Society and Natick for Black Lives Matter were proud to co-host the third community reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” on June 26, 2022. Following opening remarks from Wellesley College Associate Professor of History Brenna Greer, nineteen volunteers of all ages read passages of Douglass’ powerful speech on the steps of the Morse Institute Library.

This meaningful event was made possible by the generosity of Mass Humanities, The National Endowment for the Humanities, and A More Perfect Union. We are grateful to all of our readers for their enthusiasm, Natick Pegasus for recording the event, and everyone who participated or attended. We’ll see you next year!

Read the story and see pictures of the event in The Natick Report.

Natick Historical Society receives Mass Humanities Bridge Street Sponsorships

The Natick Historical Society has been awarded three Mass Humanities Bridge Street Sponsorships totaling $1,500. The funding will support the NHS’s proposed Fall 2022 online speaker series “Indigenous Histories and Futures in Natick, Massachusetts.” The three-part speaker series will allow attendees to consider important questions about Indigenous experiences in Natick and beyond from the seventeenth century until today. 

Mass Humanities Bridge Street Sponsorships fund free online programs hosted by Massachusetts historical societies, centers, museums, or historic sites, helping these institutions recover lost income, and enabling free access to the humanities.

For almost 50 years, Mass Humanities has created opportunities for the people of Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable commonwealth through the humanities.

Founded in 1870, the Natick Historical Society (NHS) is one of the oldest local historical societies in Massachusetts. Today, the NHS operates a museum and archives and serves a growing number of community members, scholars, and young people by offering (increasingly virtual) programs, exhibits, and research services, as well as by bringing local history to community projects and events. Since its incorporation, the NHS has remained an independent nonprofit that receives no public funds.

Natick Historical Society Holds Annual Meeting

On Sunday, February 27, the Natick Historical Society (NHS) held its virtual annual meeting. Participants heard reports from Fran Weisse, Chair of the Programs Committee; Steve Evers, Chair of the Facilities Committee; Jan Parsons and Ken Van Blarcom, Co-Chairs of the Collections Committee; and Patrick Thomas, Treasurer. President Mike Pojman ran the meeting and announced a title change from “Director” to “Executive Director” for Niki Lefebvre. Lefebvre gave an overview of NHS activities in 2021.

NHS officers Mike Pojman (President), Vincent Vittoria (Vice President), Terri Evans (Secretary), and Patrick Thomas (Treasurer) were reelected for one-year terms. Board Members Terri Evans, Steve Evers, Ken Van Blarcom, and Vincent Vittoria were reelected for three-year terms.

Read the NHS 2021 Annual Review HERE.

Remembering Rudman Ham

In Memoriam
Rudman “Rud” Ham

We are saddened to note the passing of former NHS Board member Rud Ham on January 24, 2022. Rud served on the Board for six years (2011-2017).

Rud was highly regarded for his achievements in healthcare management, retiring as Vice President of Operations at Children’s Hospital Boston. He was valued and beloved among the many community organizations in Boston and Metrowest that benefited from his expertise in leadership and management, including an appreciative Natick Historical Society.

Other local organizations that benefited from Rud’s expertise were Middlesex Savings Bank, where he led the establishment of the Middlesex Charitable Foundation, and the boards of the Bacon Free Library and the Foundation for MetroWest. Rud was instrumental in starting the Natick Community Organic Farm Advisory Board and served as its chair. And also served on the boards of Natick Center Associates and The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN).

Born and raised in New Hampshire, he was introduced to Natick early, spending summers in high school and college working at Lookout Farm for his uncle, Cyrus Jenness, who acquired the farm in 1925.

A celebration of Rud’s life is planned for June. Click here to read the full obituary of a remarkable man and a life well lived.