Take a Walk Through Needham’s History

The Needham Historical Society is gearing up for its first-annual Walk Through History Oct. 2. The fundraising event will act as a warm-up celebration for the town's tercentennial, which kicks off in November and spans the 2010 and 2011 year.

Gloria Greis, executive director at the Historical Society, said the walk would shed some new light on a familiar town that has been evolving since 1711.

 "The history of the town is so deep," she said, "and as you walk around town most people are not aware of the things that happened in the past, and how much texture there is in the places they see every day."

The circuit is about five miles long and is comprised of more than 20 points of interest and five "hubs." Signs sharing the history of each particular spot will mark the route and participants can feel free to walk, bike or ride the route as they see fit.

The five hubs, or places of dense historical interest, include the McIntosh Historical District and The Old Center. A speaker will be available at each hub location for storytelling, guidance and to fill in any holes that pop up along the way.

"It gives an opportunity to answer people's questions," Greis said, "and make the experience more rich."

The speaker roles are still being filled but it is likely that at least she and other Historical Society members will be participating.

"I've got a couple of people I have me eye on who are history teachers," she said. "Obviously they have to know how to talk to a crowd. We'll give them background and history information. They have to be able to tell a story."

As a fundraising event, the Historical Society asks anyone participating to contribute $25. Greis said a fun idea is to make the walk a group activity and to pledge a certain amount of money together.

"Ideally, you get a group of friends and do it together, " she said. "[You] can take a walk and get some exercise on a nice autumn day while learning history." 

The Historical Society will be offering prizes to those who raise particular amounts of money.  Any child under 13, for example, who raises more than $100, will be eligible to win a prize.

But ultimately, Greis said, the walk is all about Needham.

"We're just raising a bit of awareness of the history of the town," she said, "and getting people to look at the town historically in all sorts of ways."

For more information on the walk or to download a sponsorship form, please see the Historical Society website.