Museum Profile
Needham Historical Society
Since 1915, the Needham Historical Society has celebrated the history of Needham and the accomplishments of its citizens. Through exhibits, programs, publications and outreach to the schools and community groups, the Needham Historical Society is committed to preserving and sharing this unique legacy.
Our facility includes an 1842 schoolhouse – the last one-room school structure in Needham – that we use for our school and public programs, and that is available to rent for events and receptions. Our main house, the Mills House (1834), is the museum exhibit space, as well as the locations of our offices and storage. We maintain an archives and library that are open to the public, and entertain research, genealogy, and visitor inquiries.
The Needham Historical Society is committed to two basic principals – one, that all history is local, and that large national events are rooted in the affairs and actions of our small towns and communities. And two, that an appreciation of the town’s past fosters engagement in its present.
To that end, we offer community programs such as the Walk through History, Pansy Day, and the History Book Group. We have long-standing frameworks-based school programs for the third grades (The 1850s Schoolhouse Day) and fifth grades (Town Meeting in 1775). We have a calendar of public lectures, workshops, events and exhibits. We work with municipal offices on preservation and design projects. And we seek out partner organizations in the community for joint programs and projects that benefit and engage both our memberships.
Together with our members and community partners, Needham Historical Society is working hard to make local history a part of the current life of our town, offering our resources whenever needed. We have grown in membership and activity, creating robust and innovative programs for both adults and children. We will continue to find new ways to engage and educate our community, and we will continue to grow together.
