The DHSM is pleased to announce that we are among the fifty-nine Massachusetts non-profit organizations to receive a Digital Capacity Grant from Mass Humanities. The funding will be used for “Accessible History: Diverse Dedham for Classroom and Community,” a component of the DHSM’s forthcoming new website. Part of the new site, made possible through a $10,000 grant from Dedham Savings, the Digital Capacity Grant will provide WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant accessibility for visually and verbally impaired visitors, and will create an education portal for teachers and students, using materials from the DHSM archives and collections to enhance learning and teach local history.
The $5,000 in funds is the maximum amount awarded for the Digital Capacity Grant. The DHSM is most appreciative to Mass Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Funding from Mass Humanities has been provided through the Mass Cultural Council.
Reading the History of Needham, 1912, by George K. Clarke, found it interesting, p. 141, etc. entitled “Divisions of the Town and Changes in Boundaries” that 11/11/1724 a petition of 6 named inhabitants all self described as inhabitants on a tract of Dedham, MA …within the Bounds of Needham…but which were in the so-called Needham Leg…within Natick about 7 miles from the Needham Meeting House. The petition in Archives, Vol 11, p.408 was to Acting Governor William Dummer in seeking to change the Needham boundary, etc, a history worth noting as some of those were attending Sudbury & Sherborn as closer to them. Apparently the quest remained unresolved until 3/31/1743 under Gov. Shirley’s admin where the number petitioning were several more, p. 142, Clarke, see Plan 1724, 13 buildings in Needham Leg, & 1749, just 9 houses, (2 of which were Indian habitations). Noteworthy history for several towns at the time?
Thank you for your comment. Needham separated from Dedham and was incorporated in 1711. It is interesting that the boundary would have been changed thereafter. Was it the boundary between Needham and Natick for which a change was requested rather than with Dedham? Natick’s boundaries did change when a portion of the land was set aside for the “Praying Indians”; in exchange, Dedham was given land in Deerfield.