Walpole Public Library

A presentation on Walpole’s rich 300-year history

The Walpole Historical Society and the Walpole Public Library bring you this lecture by resident Gary Riggott. Gary and his wife Deb moved here in 1992 from Wakefield after he got a job at what is now Siemens Healthcare. He’s the father of Steven Riggott, TriCounty High School Class of 2013, and Alexis Riggott, Walpole High Class of 2014. He’s been involved with the Walpole Trails Committee since the early 2000s, and the Town Forest Committee since the mid-2000s. He has organized several trail numbering and mapping projects, organized trail cleanups and hikes, and most notably saw to completion the construction of the School Meadow Brook Boardwalk. He encourages everyone who can to use the trails and to join in on the Committee’s efforts and outings.

To learn more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society

Ceremony on Walpole Town Common

The Walpole Veterans Service Committee invites you to attend this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony.

Military vehicles, past and present, will be on display for kids to see.

There will be a roll call honoring Walpole Veterans that have passed away since Memorial Day.

Members of the Junior Women’s Club of Walpole will be serving light refreshments.

VFW Post 5188 will have a BBQ immediately after the Observance for Veterans and their families

The Junior Woman’s Club of Walpole
Walpole Wine & Spirits
present

Wine & Beer Tasting

Email to Purchase Tickets

Visit the Junior Woman’s Club of Walpole Homepage

Formal Dress Gala held at Lake Pearl Ballroom in Wrentham

Date:  Saturday Nov 2
Time:  6pm to midnight
Place:  Lake Pearl, 299 Creek Street, Wrentham
Black tie optional

Cocktail hour |  Cash Bar  |   Silent auction

Buffet Dinner
2 Live Bands

Tour #6: Rural Cemetery Walking Tour
North & Pemberton Streets

The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring walking tours of the town’s historic cemeteries. This year marks Walpole’s 300th anniversary, but it also marks the Society’s 125th anniversary, and to mark these special occasions, we are hosting several walking tours of our unique cemeteries. We are lucky enough to have nine historic cemeteries in town, and each one is special and holds Walpole’s unique history. Each tour will have a topic to highlight Walpole’s history. It is our hope that through these tours participants will learn more about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to the town’s growth.

Rural Cemetery
Walking Tour
“Industry and Small Business in Walpole: Local Leaders Grow a Town”

Rural Cemetery was established in 1820 between North and Pemberton Streets, and in an early document it is referred to as The “North Burying Ground.” Established as the Old Burial Ground was hemmed in by private property and two well-established roads, and could not expand. In 1842 a committee was formed to enlarge and improve the cemetery. In the same year they purchased 3 acres of abutting land, and in 1850 they voted to complete the receiving tomb. More land was purchased in 1861. Rural Cemetery is one of Walpole’s largest cemeteries. It contains a nice variety of gravestones styles, and is still in use today.

Here in Rural Cemetery, rest many of Walpole’s early businessmen and industrialists and their families, which helped to grow Walpole into a bustling town. Walpole started out as an agricultural town, made up of many family subsistence farms. However, it should be noted that before Walpole was established in 1724, it already had several small mills located within its borders. In fact, this area of Dedham, that would one day become Walpole, was initially established in the late 1600s, around a sawmill (most likely located in the area of todays Town Forest). Over the next several decades, more water rights were given to millers, who in turn established new mills here on the banks of the Neponset River and on some of its tributaries. Over the years, water rights were given to businessmen to dam up the river, thus creating millponds with waterfalls to turn waterwheels and then to build mills. These mills included saw and gristmills, cotton & paper manufacturing, and iron foundries. Many tradesman set up businesses based on their skill/training… shoemakers, blacksmiths, tanners and carriage makers. We even had a couple of straw weaving business in town. Admittedly most of these businesses were small businesses, employing anywhere between 1 to 10 people, but each little business contributed to the growth of Walpole.

Our hope is that you all will gain a new understanding about Walpole and its industrial and small business history.

For more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society

Event Details:
Walpole Recreation Department Falloween

Event Details:
Walpole Recreation Department Halloween On Main

Tour #5: Plains Cemeteries
Kingsbury Street, West Walpole

The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring walking tours of the town’s historic cemeteries. This year marks Walpole’s 300th anniversary, but it also marks the Society’s 125th anniversary, and to mark these special occasions, we are hosting several walking tours of our unique cemeteries. We are lucky enough to have nine historic cemeteries in town, and each one is special and holds Walpole’s unique history. Each tour will have a topic to highlight Walpole’s history. It is our hope that through these tours participants will learn more about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to the town’s growth.

Plains Cemeteries
Walking Tour
“Walpole in War – Sleeping Solders Tell Tales”

This is the second oldest cemetery in Walpole. A section is believed to have been set aside for a burial place as early as the 1720's. The first recorded burial is Deborah Smith, in 1731. In May of 1803, this cemetery was enlarged about 60 rods to meet growing demands. Then, in 1883, the estate of Jeremiah Hartshorn, sold to the town of Walpole more land, to expand the Plains Cemetery, thus bringing the Plains Cemetery to its present size. At the corner of West and Plain Streets, Isaac N. Lewis erected a circle of “memorial” stones to acknowledge American Revolutionary War soldiers. The soldiers were from the West Walpole neighborhood (which also included some men from Wrentham, now Norfolk). It should be noted that no one is buried in that section.

Here in this cemetery lie the remains of many West Walpole and Medfield men who served in wars that shaped our country. These soldiers fought in wars that stretch for over 400 years, from King Philip’s war in the 1670s to the Vietnam War of the 1960s & 70s, and almost every war in between. These soldiers left their villages to fight for the safety of their families and homes, some returned, and many did not. Today, we will talk about the history of various wars that affected Americans throughout these centuries and introduce you to some of the men who fought in them.

For more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society

This traditional style parade with performing groups, bands and floats will follow the 250th Anniversary Parade’s Route down Common Street to Walpole Center and then down Main Street terminating at the Norfolk County Agricultural High School.

Tour #5: Terrace Hill Cemetery Walking Tour
Washington Street

The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring walking tours of the town’s historic cemeteries. This year marks Walpole’s 300th anniversary, but it also marks the Society’s 125th anniversary, and to mark these special occasions, we are hosting several walking tours of our unique cemeteries. We are lucky enough to have nine historic cemeteries in town, and each one is special and holds Walpole’s unique history. Each tour will have a topic to highlight Walpole’s history. It is our hope that through these tours participants will learn more about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to the town’s growth.

Terrace Hill Cemetery Walking Tour
Washington Street
“History of the South Walpole:
Early Mill Settlement to Thriving Village”

Terrace Hill cemetery was officially established in 1784 for the villagers of South Walpole, when Jonathan Boyden sold one-quarter of an acre to be used for a burying place. Over the years, parcels of land have been added to this cemetery, making it one of the larger cemeteries in Walpole. In 1808 Benjamin Mann sold one quarter of an acre to the South School District. This parcel is in the front, where the Jackson Memorial Chapel is sitting. Another large parcel was added in the 1900s and is the section that is in use today. Recently, a section to the back was developed and now is being used for burials.

The oldest section, which is the focus of this walking tour, sits on the South Street side of the road, behind the Jackson Memorial Chapel. It is a terraced cemetery, with approximately 400 gravestones and about 860 people buried there. The oldest stones are slate or marble tablet-stones, only a few still have their matching footstones. These stones are in fair condition, and show the signs of age due to weathering, erosion and pollution. There are a few marble family monuments, they too are quite eroded. At the top of the hill are many tall and elaborate granite family monuments, which are in excellent condition.

This tour will provide an interesting history of South Walpole. It is an interesting history that often gets hidden in Walpole’s over all history. People began to settle in South Walpole just before it was set off from Dedham. Some of the first families to settle here were millers. In 1720, Theodore Mann who had a fulling mill and about the same time siblings, James and Jeremiah Smith and Anphillis (Smith) Jenks, who was the wife of William Jenks and all came from Providence. All three men were “bloomers” which meant they smelted iron. This occupation would indicate there was a foundry in South Walpole.

Over the years more people settled in and around the village of South Walpole, many farmed land here, but milling was one of the most consistent businesses here well into the mid-1900s. When Washington Street was laid out in 1805, it became the new Boston – Providence Highway. It replaced the “old” highway...Main Street. With coaches passing through the village, new businesses sprung up such as taverns & small shops, and a church was also established here, which encouraged more people to settle in this part of town. Come and learn about the people who settled this village.

We want to stress, that the ground in each cemetery is soft and uneven, which could make it difficult for some people to walk upon. We do not want anyone to injure themselves or the gravestones!

Come stroll through our historic cemeteries and learn about Walpole’s history as you tour our cemeteries.

For more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society

Every Saturday 9am – 1pm
through October 18, 2024

938 East Street, Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole

https://www.facebook.com/walpolefarmersmarketma

Location:
Walpole Town Common and Front Porches!

Porchfest is a nationwide event that brings local musicians and neighborhoods together to celebrate and create a sense of community. Musicians perform at various residences throughout town, plus four musical acts taking place at the bandstand on the town common.

Facebook: Program, artist spotlights, and more details

Every Saturday 9am – 1pm
through October 18, 2024

938 East Street, Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole

https://www.facebook.com/walpolefarmersmarketma

 'Walpole's Historic Cemeteries' is the title of a talk to be given by local historian Laurie L. Kearney at the Walpole Public Library, 143 School Street, on Thursday evening, September 12 , at 7:00, as part of the year-long tribute to Walpole's 300th anniversary being sponsored by Friends of the Walpole Public Library and Walpole Historical Society. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Walpole is home to six antique cemeteries and four small family cemeteries. This talk by historian Laurie Kearney will cover the history of Walpole’s cemeteries. As we have been celebrating Walpole’s 300th Anniversary, it is a good time to learn about our old cemeteries, especially as they are the resting place for so many Walpolians who have contributed to the growth and development of our town. Laurie will touch on some of these families and Walpole’s early history. She will also touch on some of Walpole’s unique gravestones, and trends in cemetery landscapes. It is an opportunity not only to learn about Walpole’s cemeteries but also to get an appreciation of their history and their quiet beauty. 

The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring a series of walks through each of Walpole’s cemeteries starting in August and going through the Fall. This talk complements the walks by giving the context of the history of all the cemeteries and how they developed over time.  

Laurie L. Kearney is a local historian, genealogist, and educator. Laurie has spearheaded several local research projects on the industries that shaped Walpole and Norwood, studied the history of local properties and neighborhoods, as well as transcribed most of Walpole's and it’s neighboring towns' cemeteries. She has researched and presented walking tours in Walpole and Norwood. She has recently been investigating the history of local enslaved people and their enslavers. Laurie has over forty years as a genealogical researcher and holds several professional certificates in the field. Laurie earned her undergraduate degree in Education and her master’s degree in Public History with a certificate in Archival Studies. She is also a member of the Norwood Historical Society’s Board of Directors.

Tour #3: Small Family Cemeteries-
A Driving Cemetery Tour
Meets at the Historical Society, 33 West Street

The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring walking tours of the town’s historic cemeteries. This year marks Walpole’s 300th anniversary, but it also marks the Society’s 125th anniversary, and to mark these special occasions, we are hosting several walking tours of our unique cemeteries. We are lucky enough to have nine historic cemeteries in town, and each one is special and holds Walpole’s unique history. Each tour will have a topic to highlight Walpole’s history. It is our hope that through these tours participants will learn more about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to the town’s growth.

Small Family Cemeteries-
A Driving Cemetery Tour
“Walpole Pioneer’s Family Plots– Off the Beaten Path”

We believe we have created a unique cemetery tour, as you will drive yourself to four of Walpole’s little private family cemeteries. Start at the Walpole Historical Society at noon on West Street, and pick up a travel brochure. Follow the directions to the Morse burial ground, then to the Blake burial ground, the Hartshorn tomb and the Guild Family Cemetery. At each stop, you will be met by volunteers who will tell you about the cemetery you are visiting.

In Walpole, we have four small family cemeteries. These families created their own family burial ground on their property in the early 1800s. Even though, these families, if they desired, could indeed have been buried in one of Walpole’s established cemeteries.

Private family burial grounds can be found throughout New England and beyond, but they have not fared well. Many have fallen into disrepair, or have been vandalized or simply forgotten. It is safe to say that all these situations have happened to our little burial grounds, but thankfully they are still part of Walpole’s landscape and history.

This tour should be interesting as you have the opportunity to visit these cemeteries and learn about the families who are part of Walpole’s history. We would also like to invite you to come into the Historical Society to see the original gravestones from the Blake Burial Ground.

 We will start at noon. Last car to leave will be at 1:30. We have wonderful volunteers who have donated their time to help us with this tour, and after 2 hours of showing visitors around our burial grounds, they will want to head home!

For more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society

Every Saturday 9am – 1pm
through October 18, 2024

938 East Street, Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole

https://www.facebook.com/walpolefarmersmarketma

Tour #2: Maple Grove Cemetery
Kendall Street

The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring walking tours of the town’s historic cemeteries. This year marks Walpole’s 300th anniversary, but it also marks the Society’s 125th anniversary, and to mark these special occasions, we are hosting several walking tours of our unique cemeteries. We are lucky enough to have nine historic cemeteries in town, and each one is special and holds Walpole’s unique history. Each tour will have a topic to highlight Walpole’s history. It is our hope that through these tours participants will learn more about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to the town’s growth.

Maple Grove Cemetery
“Gravestones to Gardens - Trends in New England Cemeteries”

Maple Grove is one of Walpole’s larger cemeteries. It contains approximately 3 to 4 acres, and is still in use today. This oldest section is dotted with ancient maple trees, which makes this cemetery one of the shadiest cemeteries in town. There are approximately 325 headstones contained in the oldest part of the cemetery, and there are about 800 people buried there too. Established in 1817, it was the answer to the over crowding of the Old Burial Ground. In the late 1890’s or early 1900’s Isaac Newton Lewis organized and incorporated the Maple Grove Cemetery. Around that time, Maple Grove was expanded into the area that is used today.

Maple Grove is actually an interesting cemetery, as it has its roots in the old-fashioned burial ground ideas, but as the garden cemetery became popular, this little cemetery began to change as it incorporated many elements of a garden cemetery. Trees were planted, paths were established, as were formal family plots, which were often embellished with large monuments. When the cemetery was expanded in the 1920s, that garden feel was continued. Maple Grove also contains a large variety of gravestones, which help to illustrate the changing trends in cemeteries and funerary art and style.

We want to stress, that the ground in each cemetery is soft and uneven, which could make it difficult for some people to walk upon. We do not want anyone to injure themselves or the gravestones!

Come stroll through our historic cemeteries and learn about Walpole’s history as you tour our cemeteries.

For more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society

Walpole Town Common

This week’s featured artist:

sapphire crush

Every Saturday 9am – 1pm
through October 18, 2024

938 East Street, Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole

https://www.facebook.com/walpolefarmersmarketma

Walpole Town Common

This week’s featured artist:

retrorockets

Tour #1: Old Burial Ground
Corner of Main and Kendall Streets

The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring walking tours of the town’s historic cemeteries. This year marks Walpole’s 300th anniversary, but it also marks the Society’s 125th anniversary, and to mark these special occasions, we are hosting several walking tours of our unique cemeteries. We are lucky enough to have nine historic cemeteries in town, and each one is special and holds Walpole’s unique history. Each tour will have a topic to highlight Walpole’s history. It is our hope that through these tours participants will learn more about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to the town’s growth.

Old Burial Ground
”Early History of a Town: Sleeping on a Hill”

The Old Burial Ground has been in use since 1704, some 20 years before this part of Dedham was set off and became Walpole. At that time, the nearest cemetery was in Dedham Village! At that time Walpole was part of Dedham, and families who lived here there were members of the Dedham Church, so would have been buried there.

On April 2, 1705, a “half-acre” of land was set off from the farm of Eleazer Clapp, in exchange for three acres of land on Major’s Plain, for the express purpose of using this land for a “Buryal Plas.” This is a small cemetery. It is approximately 70’ by about 70’. There are approximately 152 headstones. Most still have their footstones. There is one burial tomb in this cemetery, which has fallen in on its self, from age, officially burying its occupants. There are just under 200 people buried here. The majority of the headstones are slate tablets, and they are in very good shape. There are a few marble tablets, and one marble family pilaster stone.

In this cemetery are of many of Walpole’s earliest settlers and their descendants; Allen, Robbins, Clapp, Hartshorn, Smith, Fales, Blake and Kingsbury are buried in this cemetery. Also, two of Walpole’s early ministers are here, as is an Arcadian refugee from Canada, and about 20 Revolutionary Soldiers.

It is our hope that through this tour you will have a good understanding about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to its growth.

For more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society

Every Saturday 9am – 1pm
through October 18, 2024

938 East Street, Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole

https://www.facebook.com/walpolefarmersmarketma

Walpole’s Gene Lavanchy and Boston 25 News' Zip Trips to broadcast live at the Walpole Town Common this Friday morning!

This is the 21st year of Zip Trips, a summer morning news feature that visits towns in the Boston area. Walpole resident and Boston 25 morning news anchor Gene Lavanchy and meteorologist Shiri Spear Boston 25 last showcased Walpole on a Zip Trip in 2015 where hundreds of locals enthusiastically enjoyed the show. We look forward to Gene, Shiri and crew's Zip Trips return on Friday!

Please spread the word and hope to see you all there!

Walpole Town Common

This week’s featured artist:

mark berger

and ride

Every Saturday 9am – 1pm
through October 18, 2024

938 East Street, Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole

https://www.facebook.com/walpolefarmersmarketma

POOL PARTY

Center Pool

Grades 5 & 6

(See accompanying schedule for Grade 3 & 4 Parties)

$10 per person
Swimming, Music, drinks, pizza, snacks
and candy for sale!

Sign up by 3 PM on the day of the party to receive one free drink or snack

Youth Pool Parties supervised by Certified Recreation Department Lifeguards and Recreation Staff

Contact Walpole Recreation Department for Details

Every Saturday 9am – 1pm
through October 18, 2024

938 East Street, Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole

https://www.facebook.com/walpolefarmersmarketma

POOL PARTY

Center Pool

Grades 5 & 6

(See accompanying schedule for Grade 3 & 4 Parties)

$10 per person
Swimming, Music, drinks, pizza, snacks
and candy for sale!

Sign up by 3 PM on the day of the party to receive one free drink or snack

Youth Pool Parties supervised by Certified Recreation Department Lifeguards and Recreation Staff

Contact Walpole Recreation Department for Details