Much‑Needed Repairs Underway at the Historic F. Holland Day House
The large mansion on Day Street—once the home of famed photographer Fred Holland Day and now the headquarters of the Norwood Historical Society—is undergoing long‑overdue exterior repairs to protect the 1859 structure from further deterioration.
“There was a lot of water damage and rot and none of it had gotten inside yet, but it was only a matter of time,” said Allison Priore, chairwoman of the Historical Society’s renovation committee, speaking on a sunny Monday afternoon as work crews moved around the property.
Nearby, contractor Phil O’Callaghan of O’Hanlon Construction climbed a ladder on the far side of the house, working to seal and stabilize the exterior. “We call it the exterior weatherization project,” Priore explained. “It is phase one of our goals this year.”
**Phase One: Weatherization
Phase Two: A Period‑Correct Copper Portico**
The second phase of the project will focus on repairing the portico roof, the covered entrance that frames the walkway to the historic home. The portico will be rebuilt using period‑appropriate copper, restoring the architectural character Fred Holland Day introduced during his sweeping 1891–1893 renovation.
Repairs are funded entirely through donations, and the community has stepped up in a major way.
$26,000 Raised — But More Is Needed
So far, $26,000 has been raised for the project. Priore detailed the contributions:
- Norwood Neighbors Committee – $15,000
- Ernie Boch Jr. – $5,000
- Dedham Institution for Savings – $5,000
- David Spiegel – $1,000
The Historical Society has also applied for a grant match through the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Phase One cost $10,000, leaving $16,000 for the portico roof. But Priore noted that the roof project is expected to cost $25,000.
“So we are about $9,000 or $10,000 short,” she said. “If we get the grant it will cover the cost.”
The Society expects to hear about the grant in mid‑June.
Still, Priore emphasized that waiting is not an option.
“We can’t sit idly by and hope,” she said. “Our goal of the historical society is to not only fix (the house) because it is a structural issue, but because we are trying to give the town a sense of pride. We want to get the community involved in local history.”
A House With Deep Norwood Roots
Built in 1859 by Lewis Day, the home later became the lifelong residence of his son, Fred Holland Day—a photographer, publisher, historian, philanthropist, and internationally recognized figure in the pictorialist movement. Day lived in the house until his death in 1933.
Between 1891 and 1893, he gutted and redesigned the family home, blending Victorian and Arts and Crafts influences into the distinctive structure that stands today.
Nestled in a quiet neighborhood at 93 Day Street, the F. Holland Day House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the headquarters of the nonprofit Norwood Historical Society.
“The Day House belongs to the whole community,” Priore said. “We are here to let people know it is here for them to use and enjoy.”
Community Support for a Community Landmark
Standing outside the mansion, Jerry Lavoie, trustee of Dedham Institution for Savings, reflected on the bank’s ongoing support.
“History is the fabric of the community,” he said. “Part of that is preserving the history, the culture and the fabric of the community. This is all part of it.”
Debbie Holmwood, president of the Norwood Neighbors Committee, explained that the committee’s $15,000 donation came from proceeds of its annual house tours.
“Everyone asks on the tours, ‘Where does the money go,’” Holmwood said. She explained that the funds had previously gone toward paying bills on the house. “Now, it is going to the physical repairs.”
A Preservation Effort Rooted in Pride
As scaffolding rises and workers reinforce the aging exterior, the project represents more than structural preservation—it is a reaffirmation of Norwood’s commitment to its own heritage. The Day House, long a symbol of the town’s artistic and cultural legacy, is being protected for future generations.
To donate to the historical society and its projects visit its website at norwoodhistoricalsociety.org.
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