Freshly elected to the Board of Selectmen just a week ago, Walter J. Dempsey is already embarking on his first official-yet-unofficial diplomatic assignment: serving as an emissary from Norwood, Massachusetts, to its namesake sister community of Norwood, England.
Dempsey’s mission involves coordinating plans for local participation in the upcoming Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.
A 15-Year Transatlantic Friendship
The diplomatic outreach was initiated at the request of George T. Mahoney, a town finance commissioner and former president of the Norwood Historical Society. Mahoney asked Dempsey—who happened to be traveling to England just as the polls closed on special election day—to stop by the greater London town to iron out details with The Norwood Society.
Both Mahoney and Dempsey have nurtured an association between the two Norwoods for roughly 15 years. Back in 1962, the pair hand-carried official greetings from Norwood, Massachusetts selectmen to English town officials to commemorate Norwood, Mass.’s 90th anniversary—a milestone Mahoney noted was “a step towards our 100th anniversary.”
The Proposed Silver Jubilee Tree-Planting Ceremony
In recent correspondence, John Yaxley, chairman of The Norwood Society (an influential civic and amenities organization encompassing historical and environmental concerns), put forward a collaborative proposal.
“What we would like to do is to plant two silver trees (the exact species has yet to be chosen) side by side and dedicated to the royal event and to the friendship and common concern for the environment and historical well-being of our two communities,” Yaxley wrote.
According to a report in The Norwood Review, the quarterly publication of The Norwood Society, the idea was partly inspired by the enthusiasm surrounding America’s Bicentennial celebrations. Organizers viewed the Queen’s Silver Jubilee as a unique opportunity to link their American friends with a living monument representing the enduring character and mutual hopes of both communities.
Mahoney confirmed that Norwood, Massachusetts, officials were thrilled with the suggestion and eager to cooperate in the dual transatlantic tribute, which is proposed for planting on Norwood, England’s Beaulieu Heights, overlooking central London.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
Downtown Norwood Looking North From Day St-1943
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe
-
Wonderful Women of Norwood
In celebration of Norwood’s 150th Anniversary, the Norwood Historical Society paid homage to the “wonderful women” of our town’s history. These women contributed to the building and formation of Norwood in less visible ways than those of their male counterparts, but their contributions were invaluable. They are the “quiet heroes” of our town. We at…
-
Wonderful Women of Norwood: Anna Smith Day
Anna (Smith) Day was born in 1836 in South Dedham to Lyman Smith and Melinda (Guild) Smith. She was educated in local schools along with her brothers Charles and John. Her father Lyman and Joseph Day learned and worked in the leather trade in Norwood. Joseph’s son, Lewis, and Anna attended the same church and…
-
Wonderful Women of Norwood: Ann Elizabeth Tanneyhill
By Norwood Historical Society Board Members Laurie Kearney, Linda Rau and Karen DeNapoli To commemorate Black History Month and to honor the first Black woman from Norwood who achieved professional status and recognition in the Urban League, it is with pride that we present Ann (Anna) Elizabeth Tanneyhill. Ann was a civil rights activist before…
-
Did You Know?
Click here to browse our entire ‘Did You Know” Series Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe
-
F Holland Day House ADA Renovation Update-August 7, 2021
The work on our new ramp continues… You can see all of the progress on this project by visiting the main project page. This work was made possible by funding provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, a program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, administered through a collaborative arrangement between MassDevelopment and the Mass Cultural Council.…
-
F Holland Day House ADA Renovation Update-August 4, 2021
The new bottom step has been cut and put into place. The former bottom step will move up to become the second step, and the former top step will remain the top step. The space under the new steps has been filled in with new crushed stone. You can see all of the progress on…
-
F Holland Day House ADA Renovation Update-August 2, 2021
Work is underway on a new ADA compliant ramp and bathroom to make the Day House more accessible to the public. Step one is to remove this poured concrete, which was made to look like individual stone tiles. This area must be excavated to make space for the ramp. The front door is several inches…
-
October 2019 Member Meeting
Last night, the Norwood Historical Society held our fall member meeting at the Fred Holland Day House. We marked the centennial of the 1919 Volstead Act, which ushered in Prohibition, by turning the Day House into a Speakeasy for the night. After the member meeting, those in attendance were treated to a brief historical talk…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.