USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > Dedham tercentenary 1636-1936 > Part 17
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The center of hospitality was in the East Room where Miss Margaret Warren, sister of the Tercentenary orator, Miss Frances M. Baker, Mrs. Albert Hale, Miss Gladys Dean, and Mrs. C. H. J. Kimball served as hostesses. The yellow and white table deco- rations lent a charming note of color and added general buoyancy to the occasion. Bouillon, cakes, ices and coffee were served.
During the reception there was a musical program by Joseph Boetje's Orchestra. The orchestra played on the veranda outside Haven Hall where chairs were placed for the convenience of those guests who wished to listen more fully to the music. The program was as follows:
1. Priests' March (from "Athalia")
Mendelssohn Mozart
2. Overture to The Magic Flute
3. Ballet Suite Gretry-Mottl
(Tambourin - Menuet - Gigue)
4. French Military March Saint Saens
5. On the Beautiful Blue Danube Johann Strauss
6. A GROUP OF CONCERT PIECES:
a. Alt Wien Godowsky
b. Little Viennese March Kreisler
c. Dagger Dance Herbert
7. Invitation to the Dance Von Weber
8. From Italy Langey
(Neapolitan Folk Song Medley)
9. Melodies from "The Mikado" Gilbert and Sullivan
10. The Stars and Stripes Forever Sousa
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Organization of Committee
For more than ten years before Dedham's 300th anniversary of its incorporation as a town the townspeople looked forward to a suitable celebration of the Tercentenary. The decade previous to the Tercentenary year was of wide economic variation starting out with a boom period greater than the country or town had ever known. This was fol- lowed by one of the most severe depressions in history, world-wide in its scope. The depression was such as to call for drastic reduction in all expenditures, private and pub- lic. It is to be noted that this condition did not interfere with the town's desire to commemorate its 300th birthday fittingly.
In February, 1935, a letter from Mr. Charles Warren, former U. S. Assistant Attor- ncy General, a citizen of Dedham but resident in Washington, D. C., was published in the Dedham Transcript suggesting that the matter of a celebration be placed in the hands of the Dedham Historical Society. The suggestion preceded an article in the warrant for the town meeting of that year-To see what action the town will take with reference to the celebration in 1936 of the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the founding of the Town. By action of the town-meeting members in Town Meeting, April 1, it was voted that-"the subject matter of this article be referred to a com- mittee consising of the Curators of the Dedham Historical Society and ten citizens of the Town to be appointed by the Moderator."
Accordingly the Committee for the Celebration of the Three Hundredth An- niversary of Dedham came into being. It was known as the Dedham Tercentenary Committee. The ten members at large appointed by Moderator James R. Hooper were Mrs. Frank H. Clarke, H. Wendell Endicott, John A. Hirsch, Miss Rosanna F. Lynch, James J. Mandeville, Lyman E. Matta, Mrs. Chester M. Pratt, John J. Smith, Boyd S. Whiting, George C. Willard. The Curators of the Dedham Historical Society were Er- nest J. Baker, Theodore T. Marsh, Charles E. Mills, George A. Phillips, Earl W. Pilling, James P. Roberts, Frank Smith, Charles Stearns, Julius H. Tuttle, Alvan F. Worthington and Dr. A. M. Worthington.
The committee held its first meeting, May 13, 1935. The name of Mr. Tuttle, president of the Dedham Historical Society, was placed in nomination as chairman. MI. Tuttle felt he could not accept the nomination. The honor was then extended to Mr. H. Wendell Endicott who also regretted his inability to serve.
The committee then organized with the following officers: Chairman, Dr. Arthur M. Worthington; Vice-chairman, Mrs. Chester M. Pratt; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Rosanna F. Lynch; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Frank H. Clarke; Treasurer, George C. Willard.
Resignations from the committee over a period of months made it necessary to make the following changes in its membership: Mr. Richard S. Whitney was appointed to take the place of Mr. James J. Mandeville, resigned; Mr. Robert M. Bailey Jr. was ap- pointed by the Moderator to take the place of Mrs. Chester M. Pratt, resigned; Mr. John W. Connors was appointed by the Moderator to take the place of Richard S. Whitney, resigned; Rev. Lyman V. Rutledge was appointed by the president of the Dedham His- torical Society to take the place of Mr. Charles E. Mills, a curator of the society, who resigned.
The committee of twenty-one which originated and carried out plans for the town's Tercentenary celebration was as follows:
Chairman, Arthur M. Worthington; corresponding secretary, Miss Rosanna F. Lynch; recording secretary, Mrs. Frank Hilliard Clarke; treasurer, George C. Willard; Robert M. Bailey, Jr., Ernest J. Baker, H. Wendell Endicott, John A. Hirsch, John W. Connors, Theodore T. March, Lyman E. Matta, Rev. Lyman V. Rutledge, Earl W. Pilling, George A. Phillips, James P. Roberts, Frank Smith, John J. Smith, Charles Stearns, Julius H. Tuttle, Boyd S. Whiting, Alvan F. Worthington.
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The committee met monthly over a period of ten months and in a few special meetings called by the chairman; thereafter bi-monthly with special meetings when needed, up to the time and for several months following the celebration. The meetings were held at the rooms of the Dedham Historical Society and for a time at Tercentenary Headquarters.
Early in the organization of its plans an executive committee, by vote of the Ter- centenary Committee, was appointed by the chairman. They were Dr. Arthur M. Worthington, Julius H. Tuttle, H. Wendell Endicott, Charles Stearns, Miss Rosanna F. Lynch. Most of the business relative to the Tercentenary Celebration, however, was conducted by the main committee.
A bill, introduced into the General Court by Representative Mason Sears, resulted in the week of September 13-September 20 being devoted to the Tercentenary celebra- tion.
The following bill, introduced into the General Court by Representative Mason Sears, resulted in the week of September 13-September 20 being devoted to the Ter- centenary celebration.
"This bill was enacted by the Legislature and was signed by the Governor on April &th, and is now Chapter 9 or The Resolves of 1936."
HOUSE
No. 1664
By Mr. Sears of Dedham, petition of Mason Sears and other members of the General Court that the Governor be requested to designate the week eommeneing September 14 in the current year as Dedham Tereentenary week in commemoration of the founding of the town of Dedham in 1636. Legal Affairs.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In the Year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty-Six.
Resolve providing for the Designation of a Week in Sep- tember as Dedham Tercentenary Week in the Cur- rent Year.
1 Resolved, That the governor is requested to desig- 2 nate as Dedham tercentenary week the week com- 3 mencing on September fourteenth and ending on
4 September twentieth of the current year, in com- 5 memoration of the three hundredth anniversary of 6 the founding of the town of Dedham.
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Before the town meeting of April 1936 the Tercentenary Committee had definitely outlined the plan of celebration and had conferred with the town Finance Committee relative to a request from the town of an appropriation of $9800 to cover expenses. An article accordingly appeared in the town warrant asking that this sum be placed at the disposition of the Tercentenary Committee. The request was granted and with the full support of the town behind them the committee proceeded to put its plans into action.
The Tercentenary Film pageant had already been started, the most original and most arduous part of the celebration, toward which $5000 of the sum appropriated for the celebration was set aside. The cost of the pageant did not amount to the full sum devoted to it, due to the creative energy of Rev. Lyman V. Rutledge, pageant director, but in point of time involved, effort of the entire community contributed, outside in- terest created, and permanence of the investment it may properly be considered an im- portant half of the whole celebration.
In order to facilitate the work of the main committee and to create as wide an interest as possible in the celebration sub-committees were appointed and approved by the general committee. To these committees the success of the celebration is to a large extent due. Unselfishly and self-effacingly men and women devoted many hours and much thought to create memorable entertainment for the great Tercentenary event. The names of many whose cooperation and assistance were important assets in the work of the celebration may not appear in these annals but their quiet support, sustaining in- rerest, and generous response to every requirement of the committees' plans was quite as vital to the success of the occasion as the efforts of those who did the immediate work of the Tercentenary celebration. The entire citizenship of Dedham must always be re- membered in any account of Tercentenary activities for without this bulwark of sup- port there could have been no celebration.
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Hospitality
Hospitality is that gracious accompaniment of entertaining which looks out for the comfort of every guest and which keeps the machinery of entertainment functioning smoothly and unobtrusively to the happiness of all. Among the last committees to be appointed to assist in Dedham's Tercentenary celebration was the Hostess Committee whose prescribed duties were to provide general hospitality for the week of celebration, September 13-20.
Thirty-one women responded to the invitation of the Committee on Committees to serve on the Hostess Committee, but only twenty-six of this number, due to summer vacations away from Dedham, actually served. They were: Mrs. Patrick E. Carr, Mrs. George F. Connors, Miss Gladys Dean, Mrs. H. M. Eastman, Mrs. Ralph A. Eaton, Mrs. Joseph Guild, Mrs. Albert Hale, Mrs. Henry J. Harrigan, Miss Elizabeth Humphreys, Mrs. Harold I. Johnson, Mrs. Edward J. Keelan Jr., Mrs. Charles H. J. Kimball, Miss Rosanna F. Lynch, Mrs. Richard E. Mark, Mrs. Ralph D. Pettingell, Mrs. Roswell F. Phelps, Mrs. Ada H. Pillsbury, Mrs. James Purdon, Mrs. James P. Roberts, Miss Marion Robinson, Mrs. William C. Rugg, Mrs. Anson H. Smith, Mrs. Arthur L. Williston, Mrs. Kennedy Pope, Mrs. E. W. Birchall.
The committee organized by electing the following officers: Executive co-chairmen, Mrs. Harold I. Johnson, Mrs. Arthur L. Williston; chairman of the committee on opening Dedham homes, Mrs. William C. Rugg; chairman of committee on social functions, Mrs. James Purdon, Mrs. George F. Connors; Miss Rosanna F. Lynch, secretary.
The committee voted to proceed along three definite lines. These were: the opening of Dedham homes as a special feature of Tercentenary week, the encouragement of social activities among social and church groups in the town, and the establishment of a hospitality center, to serve also as Tercentenary headquarters, in a central place in the town. Later Mrs. Ethel W. Birchall was appointed chairman of this committee.
The committee, on the opening of Dedham homes under Mrs. Rugg, consisted of Mrs. Sidney F. Batchelder, Mrs. George F. Connors, Mrs. Patrick Carr, Mrs. Louis C. Dethlefs, Mrs. Harry A. Eastman, Mrs. Joseph Guild, Miss Elizabeth Humphreys, Mrs. C. H. J. Kimball, Mrs. Kennedy Pope. The splendid accomplishment of this committee is told elsewhere.
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
Under the fostering influence of Mrs. Purdon and Mrs. Connors the Social Functions Committee was formed. The committee called into conference repre- sentatives from all the social and church groups of the town making a large and ever changing membership. Among those who served on the committee were: Mrs. Ralph A. Eaton, Mrs. A. H. Hodgdon, Mrs. Henry Harrigan, Mrs. Ralph D. Pettingell, Mrs. Emily Rauschenbach, Mrs. John Brown, Mrs. Charles Ohrenberger, Mrs. Anna Chambers, Mrs. Max E. Ward, Mrs. Walter Colby, Mrs. Gertrude Murphy, Mrs. Thomas Donovan, Mrs. William Shaw McCallum, Miss Ruth Whitehouse, Mrs. Luella Schaefer, Mrs. E. W. Birchall, Mrs. Julia A. Chisholm, Mrs. Albert Hale, Mrs. F. B. Hodges, Jr., Mrs. Mary McDonough, Mrs. Richard E. Mark.
A program of luncheons, teas, dancing, and lodge and group gatherings were so arranged that every day and evening in Tercentenary week there was entertainment by the various social groups of the town for visitors attending the celebration. The full program was as follows :---
CONCURRENT SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OF TERCENTENARY WEEK
Sept. 12-Open House for visiting Legion Posts and Auxiliaries at the American Legion Club House following the parade.
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Sept. 13-Open House and Tea, Allin Parish House, Sunday afternoon, 4 to 6 o'clock. Tea served by Women's Union, Mrs. Ralph D. Pettingell, president. The Parish House open Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18 and 19, 3 to 8 p. m., for those who wish to rest.
Sept. 14, 2 to 3 p. m .- Informal O:gan Recital, Parish House, First Church. Wil- liam Friso Frank, organist.
Sept. 14, 3 to 5 p. m .- Open House, American Legion Club House. Tea served by Miss Mary Trudeau, Miss Foley, under auspices of American Legion Auxiliary. 9 p. m .- Dedham Grange One-Ring Circus, following regular meeting. All visiting Grange members invited. Auspices Literary Committee of Grange.
Sept. 14, 6:30 p. m .- Rotary Clubs of Norfolk County Banquet, Masonic Temple.
Sept. 15 and 17, 2 to 3 p. m .- Informal Organ Recital, First Parish Church. Miss Carrie Frances Hill, organist.
Sept. 15, 3 to 5 p. m .- Open House, American Legion Club House, auspices Legion Auxiliary. Tea served. Hostesses, Mrs. John A. Geishecker, Mrs. Mary McDonough.
Sept. 15, 4-6 P. M .- Puppet Show, Dedham Community House.
Sept. 16, 1 p. m .--- Weenie Roast and Whist, Pine Heights Women's Club. Home of Mrs. F. X. Mundro. Mrs. Mundro and Mrs. Jos. Martel in charge.
2 to 8:30 p. m .-- Dedham Garden Club Flower Show, Parish House, Allin Con- gregational Church; auspices Dedham Women's Club.
3 to 5 p. m .- Open House, American Legion Club House. Tea served. Hostesses, Mrs. Elizabeth Gillis, Mrs. Grace Claftey. Auspices Legion Auxiliary.
8 p. m .- Ladies' Auxiliary, V. F. W. Social for members. Post Headquarters, Eastern Ave.
8 to 12 p. m .- Tercentenary Dance. Miss Dedham to be chosen. St. Mary's Hall. Auspices St. Mary's L. C. B. A. Slavin's Orchestra. Tickets 35 cents.
Sept. 17, 2 p. m .- Norfolk County Bar Association observes Constitution Day at Norfolk Golf Club. Dinner, 6:30 p. m.
8 p. m .- Open House for members, A. O. H. Division 14, St. Mary's Guild Hall.
Sept. 17, 8 p. m .- Get-Together. U. S. S. Jacob Jones Post, V. F. W. Auxiliary 2017. Members and friends. Post headquarters, Eastern Avenue.
Sept. 18, 6:30 p. m .- Banquet and Inspection, Contentment Chapter, O. E. S. Visit- ing O. E. S. members welcomed. Masonic Temple, Washington St.
2 to 6 p. m .- Coffee and sandwiches sold on Club House lawn by American Legion Auxiliary, Mrs. Helen J. Noonan in charge.
+ to 5 p. m .-- Formal Organ Recital, First Church. William Friso Frank, or- ganist.
Sept. 19, 10 a. m., through the day-Refreshment stand, lawn of Allin Congrega- tional Church, Sunshine Circle, Kings Daughters and Sons.
12 to 2 p. m .- Luncheon, Afternoon Guild, Church of the Good Shepherd. Parish House, Oakdale Sq.
Sept. 19, 1 to 3 p. m .-- Open House, First Baptist Church, East Dedham. Tea served. Mrs. Peter L. Cosman and Mrs. Ida Littleton, hostesses.
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Sept. 19, 4 to 5 p. m .- Formal Organ Recital, First Parish Church. William Friso Frank.
6 p. m .- Tercentenary Supper, Ladies' Auxiliary U. S. S. Jacob Jones Post, 2017, V. F. W., Post headquarters, Eastern Ave. Price 25 cents. Mrs. William O'Neil, chairman.
6 p. m .- Baked Bean Supper, Grange Hall, East Dedham. Auspices Dedham Grange. Price 40 cents. Mrs. Daisy Nickerson, Mrs. May McDonough in charge.
8 p. m .- Past Grand Noble Grands' Night, Wildey Rebekah Lodge, I. O. O. F. Visiting Rebekahs invited.
Sept. 20, 4 to 6 p. m .- St. Mary's School. Afternoon Reception.
The Dedham Girl Scouts held open house at their center, Eastern Ave., opposite the railroad station, all week. The girls were ready to act as guides and to be of other assistance.
Tercentenary Headquarters
St. Raphael's Court, Dedham Knights of Columbus, opened the way for a center of activities by offering a vacant store on High st., the former Dedham Post- Office, for use as Tercentenary Headquarters,-a voluntary contribution to the success of the celebration. The large room was well adapted to the need of the committee who saw that there was sufficient space for a business office and a rest room. Under the leadership of Mrs. Birchall the interior was put into good order, the windows made attractive by curtains, furniture collected from private individuals and town depart- ments, walls adorned with maps and pictures. Draperies midway of the long room permitted half of the space to be fitted with the necessary comforts for a rest room. For voluntary assistance in furnishing headquarters the committee was indebted to the Dedham School Department, town departments in Memorial Hall, the Edison Elec. Co., Frank H. Clarke Jr., Earl W. Pilling, Mrs. Maria Bingham, Mrs. John Brown, Mrs. Patrick Carr, Mrs. James Purdon, Miss Rosanna Lynch, John Birchall, James P. Roberts, Mrs. Arthur L. Williston, Miss Grace E. Hine.
Desks at headquarters were maintained for the Chairman of the Tercentenary Committee, Dr. A. M. Worthington, with Mrs. Elsie Kilpatrick in charge of corres- pondence; the Film Pageant Com., the Publicity Com., and the Hostess Com. Much literature relating to the celebration was available for distribution to visitors, and time- tables and other conveniences were also on hand. Cards, coins, programs and Tercen- tenary souvenirs were on sale under the supervision of the Publicity Com.
The windows of Headquarters were used to display Sports trophies and souvenirs, and to build up interest in the Tercentenary pageant.
The place was an invaluable aid to the conduct of the celebration. A registration book, its cover decorated with the town seal by Mrs. Eleanor Bates, recorded visitors from New England and many states south and west, among them Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Illinois, New Brunswick, Alabama, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, New York, Colorado.
During the days of Open Homes the Headquarters was a very busy place. Under the chairmanship of Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Williston the following women served at the desks: Mrs. Patrick Carr, Mrs. James Purdon, Mrs. George F. Connors, Mrs. W. S. McCallum, Miss Helene McCallum, Mrs. Anna Chambers, Mrs. Julia A. Chisholm, Mrs. E. W. Birchall, Mrs. H. A. Eastman, Mrs. Thomas Donovan, Mrs. William C. Rugg, Miss Marion Robinson, Mrs. Anson H. Smith, Mrs. Ralph D. Pettingell, Mrs. Ralph A. Eaton, Mrs. James P. Roberts, Mrs. Roswell F. Phelps, Mrs. Lewis E. Moore, Mrs. Emily Rausch- enbach, Miss Rosanna F. Lynch, Mrs. Henry Harrigan, Mrs. Ernestine Canning, Mrs. Gertrude Murphy, Miss Sybil E. Rolland, Mrs. Kennedy Pope.
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Seven Lights of Dedham
More than three thousand people attended the showing of the Tercentenary film pageant on the three nights of Tercentenary week, Sept. 18, 19, and 20. A preview for those who had taken part in or contributed in any way to the making of the film was held Sept. 11. About five hundred people, with approximately a hundred special guests, were present. Enthusiasm ran high, although for this first showing many substitutions in final equipment were necessary. As throughout the making of the film Rev. Lyman V. Rutledge, director, was the animating personality. Not content with having provided the actors and his assistants with a permanent place in history, at the close of the pre-view Mr. Rutledge further honored the group by presenting each with a certificate bearing the town seal and his own signature with that of the Tercentenary chairman and secretary. The certificate told the part which each had taken in making the film pageant and expressed the thanks of the director, the Tercentenary Commit- tce and the citizens of Dedham to each for his services. The certificate was further adorned with a novel affixed seal - a fluted one-inch gold disc to which were attached ribbons of celluliod film such as was used in making the picture.
The high point of the Tercentenary celebration to many local people and to large numbers who came from outside Dedham was the Film Premiere the evening of Sept. 18. This took place at the George F. Joyce Auditorium of the High School. Tickets were on sale several weeks before and a window at Tercentenary Headquarters was devoted to advertising the event. Posters were also placed in various stores about town.
On the evening of the Premiere baskets of flowers adorned the stage, and window ledges. These were afterward presented to especially helpful members of the pageant group, including the Tercentenary chairman, Dr. Worthington, the secretaries and George A. Phillips. Mr. Rutledge opened the evening, welcoming the audience, com- menting on the film and especially commending the whole-hearted co-operation of the townspeople in the making of the film. Nothing was lacking to the satisfactory showing of the pictures so long in the making. The synchronization of music, narration and picture produced a delightful effect surprisingly professional in its atmosphere. The continuous and prolonged applause of the audience expressed genuine enjoyment of the whole production. By means of unusually artistic book-programs the audience was provided with a synopsis of the pageant, a complete list of characters and those taking part, and a full record of committees involved in the undertaking. A corps of Girl Scouts acted as ushers. On the succeeding nights of the pageant showing, audiences of increasing numbers witnessed and approved the film.
Illumination of Dedham Homes
The opening of Dedham Tercentenary week was officially marked by a candle- light illumination of Dedham homes from eight to ten o'clock, Sept. 13. The illumina- tion was preceded by a half hour playing of the chimes of St. Paul's Episcopal Church during which the melody of old hymns, patriotic airs and other songs floated about Dedham streets and into Dedham homes. The chimes were played by Irving Daniels who adapted his program to include music of all periods of Dedham history.
The houses in Franklin Square and other old sections of the town were lighted by old time tapers, and modern electric candles. In some instances the occupants de- pended upon their usual electric lighting but lighted their homes on all floors and raised the window shades. Such homes were an effective part of the general illumination.
On the tower of Memorial Hall the electrically-lighted sign, "1636, Dedham, 1936", presented to the town by the Dedham Historical Society, held a central place in the illumination.
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Tercentenary Observance at the Library
A prominent feature of the Tercentenary observance at Dedham Public Library was a map of the original grant showing the present towns of the grant and the libraries established in them. In addition to the libraries there were shown branch libraries and the circulation of books in each town. The map was made from data com- piled in 1935 by Lee Shumway.
Pictures of the libraries themselves were hung in the reading room - a fine set from Norwood showing in addition to the earlier libraries of that town pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Morrill who gave the money for the first library building.
Another feature of Tercentenary interest was a display of books by Dedham authors in a case in the main reading room. Among these were included some rare old volumes and many modern ones. They embraced many subjects - fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose. Five music composers were among the authors repre- sented.
Of historic interest was a list of subscribers to Dedham's Social Library, the first attempt in this town toward a public library. This first library was founded in 1854.
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