|  Dedham
Historical Society
612 High Street
Dedham Center, MA 02027-02159
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addition to its collection of Chelsea and Dedham Pottery,
the Dedham Historical Society has an outstanding collection
of fine and decorative arts, including the oldest dated piece
of American-made furniture, and a small but very important
collection of other furniture dating from the 16th through
19th centuries. Permanent exhibits include important paintings
by Alvan Fisher, Gilbert Stuart, John Constable, Frothingham,
Hale, Hewins, and Wagner; an extensive collection of silver
by Katharine Pratt, and clocks by the Willards. The society
also showcases changing exhibits, conducts lectures and educational
programs for children and adults, and organizes house tours
and social events. Its library is considered one of the finest
historical and genealogical libraries in the country.
Directions:
From Boston, MBTA bus:
Take the 34E bus from Forest Hills Station to Dedham
Center. The Society is located between the police station
and post office at 612 High Street.
From Boston, Route 1:
Take Route 1 (VFW Parkway) south to the intersection of Route
109. Turn right onto Route 109 (Bridge Street) and continue
to the traffic lights at the intersection of Ames and Bridge
Streets at the Mobile gas station. Bear left onto Ames Street
and continue to the next traffic light at High Street at
the courthouses. Turn left and continue onto High Street.
The Historical Society will be on the right at 612 High Street,
one block beyond the courthouses and across the street from
the post office.
From the south/Route 1:
Take Route 1 (Providence Highway) north to the set of traffic
lights at Elm Street. The cinema complex will be on the far
right corner. Turn left onto Elm Street and proceed one block
to Washington Street. At the traffic lights at Washington
Street, turn right. At the next set of lights where the road
forks, bear right, remaining on Washington Street into Dedham
Center. At the traffic light at High Street, turn left onto
High. The Historical Society will be one short block ahead
on the left, across the street from the post office.
From the north and Mass Pike/Route I-95:
Take I-95 (Route 128) south to Exit 17 to Route 135 Needham.
At the foot of the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 135.
Go straight through the set of traffic lights at the Dedham
Common (Route 109) and a second set of lights at the courthouses
at the intersection of Ames and Court Streets. The Historical
Society will be on the right at 612 High Street, one block
beyond the courthouses and across the street from the post
office.
From the south/Route I-95:
Take I-95 (Route 128) north to Exit 15A, to Route 1 Dedham.
At the top of the exit ramp, merge onto Route 1 North and
move immediately to the left lane. You will be at the set
of traffic lights at Elm Street with the cinema complex on
the far right corner. Turn left onto Elm Street and proceed
one block to Washington Street. At the traffic lights at
Washington Street, turn right. At the next set of lights
where the road forks, bear right, remaining on Washington
Street into Dedham Center. At the traffic light at High Street,
turn left onto High. The Historical Society will be one short
block ahead on the left, across the street from the post
office.
Phone:
781-326-1385
visit Website
send E-mail
Contact:
Ronald F. Frazier
Hours:
The Dedham Historical Society has two distinct phases of
operation: the museum and the library, which are open at
different times, and are in different sections of the building.
The museum is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
The library is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both the library and the museum are open on the even dated
Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.
Both are closed on all Massachusetts and National holidays
Admission:
 ost
Art Rediscovered in Dedham!
The Dedham Historical Society has the largest public exhibit
of Dedham and Chelsea Pottery. Both potteries were founded
by the Robertson family, and their success was based upon
the reinvention of sophisiticated techniques for the production
of clay bodies and glazes that had first been discovered
in ancient China. The Chelsea and Dedham potteries also figure
from the 1890s to the 1930s in the artistic/social movement
known as Arts and Crafts, which advocated a return to hand
craftsmanship in the decorative arts and objects of utility.
The movement was a reaction against the loss of aesthetic
quality inherent in mass-production and also an attempt to
foster useful skills as a form of public education and social
uplift. The Boston area, with its strong reformist spirit,
was an important American center for this movement.
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