'Man of the Trees' to be Honored at Wenham Museum on Saturday

Longtime Wenham resident Albert "Albie" Dodge will be honored on Saturday with a "publication party" unveiling a book chronicling his life.

will host in celebration of the publication of Albert Winslow Dodge’s biography, "A Man of the Trees."

Written by Wenham resident Jack E. Hauck, the book chronicles the nearly 100 years Dodge has lived in the town and the many community services he was involved in - including his work with the schools, Selectmen and as the Tree Warden.

As Tree Warden, Dodge was the person in charge of maintaining all of the trees in the public areas of Wenham. If there was a storm and a branch or a tree needed to come down, it was his responsibility to facilitate the necessary work. In Dodge's case, he also planted more than 1,000 trees in Wenham.

"There were no trees in the Main Street area before Mr. Dodge began planting," said Hauck.

Hauck, who began his career as a journalist and also wrote a biography on resident Adeline Cole, began the journey through Dodge's life considering the story would be about 15 pages of a book primarily about the history of Wenham and the people who made the town what it is today.

"I had a house with a stone in the yard I wanted to move," Hauck said, using an analogy to describe his work with Dodge. "As I continued digging, I discovered I had found a corner of the earth."

The 15 pages blossomed into the book that will be presented on Saturday at the Wenham Museum.

Hauck will offer a brief lecture on the “memorial trees” of Wenham, most planted by Dodge before Dodge greets guests and signs copies of his biography.

Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. Books ($14.99) may be reserved by calling the Wenham Museum Shop at 978-468-2377. Book sale proceeds are being donated by the Dodge Family - in honor of Albert Winslow Dodge - to benefit the Wenham Museum’s educational programs.