W. T. Whedon Thinks Norwood Will Continue an Annual Old Home Week Celebration.
Highlighting a statewide trend of civic pride, The Boston Globe recently published a comprehensive review of Massachusetts’ Old Home Week celebrations, noting widespread success across dozens of participating communities, including Norwood, Haverhill, Amherst, Weymouth, and Melrose.
Writing on behalf of the local movement, William T. Whedon, vice president of the Norwood Old Home Week Association and secretary of the previous year’s committee, reported that the town’s observance was an unmitigated success.
Headquarters registered 207 visitors who received special badges—surpassing the previous year’s attendance under the Norwood Board of Trade by over 150—with total visiting attendance estimated at 250. Attendees hailed from every New England state as well as New York, Illinois, and California. While local sentiment remains divided on whether to hold modest annual gatherings or elaborate festivals every two to three years, Whedon affirmed, “Suffice it to say that while Norwood was one of the first towns in Massachusetts to observe old-home week, the present indications are that she will be the last to give it up.”
Meanwhile, the general committee of the Norwood Old Home Week Association held its final seasonal meeting last Tuesday evening at the Business Association headquarters, with Vice President Whedon presiding. Treasurer John F. Kiley was authorized to pay all audited committee bills following a review of the festival’s finances:
- Reception: $31.02
- Printing: $63.52 (reduced to $50 after T. O. Metcalf, chairman of the printing committee, donated a portion of his firm’s bill)
- Historical: $51.08
- Entertainment: $177.13 (covering tents, seating, and labor)
- Music: $41.84
- Secretary, Supplies & Stationery: $20.75
- Refreshment: $6.50 (kept exceptionally low thanks to liberal food and monetary donations from local townspeople)
Total expenses reached $420.09, offset by a $350 town appropriation and committed donations expected to cover the remaining balance.
Resolutions of gratitude were extended to nearly 40 local societies and fraternities, alongside special commendations for orators Frederic J. Stimson and Don Gleason Hill, poet Charles S. Ross, Massachusetts Old Home Week Association Secretary Thomas F. Anderson, refreshment organizer Mrs. Joseph Squires, and Mrs. A. O. Readel for generously providing tent space free of charge. The N.Y., N.H. & H. Railroad local officials were also thanked for providing free lighting for the festival tent. The association adjourned until its annual meeting scheduled for February.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Boston Globe
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