The George H. Morse House: A Piece of Norwood History-September 10, 2012

Before Norwood officially became an incorporated town, the George H. Morse House stood proudly on the landscape. As the oldest standing residential structure in the entire community, the historic property and the prominent family that inhabited it played a foundational role in shaping South Norwood and the broader municipality during their early formative years.

The Historical Significance of Morse Hill and Early Roots

“(The Morse House) is part of the Morse family,” said Morse House Restoration Committee historian Bill Pudsey. “Without the Morse family, you wouldn’t have South Norwood. They were critical to the development of this area.”

The George H. Morse House was constructed circa 1868, exactly four years prior to Norwood’s incorporation as an independent town in 1872. While the current physical structure holds a 144-year documented history, the underlying parcel of land possesses an even deeper colonial heritage. Before the George H. Morse House was built at the 1285 Washington Street site, the original Ezra Morse House stood on the location, having been erected circa 1678. The Morse family continuously occupied the homestead until the newer Victorian-era house was built, at which point the original Ezra Morse structure was taken down.

“(This site) is the original homestead in Norwood. This was the original property settled by Ezra Morse, and seven generations of his family lived here on Morse Hill, ending with George Morse, who was one of our first selectmen,” explained Morse House Restoration Committee member Dale Day.

For the past 12 years, Day and dedicated members of the Morse House Restoration Committee have tirelessly solicited private donations, organized fundraising campaigns, and personally overseen the meticulous restoration of the historic landmark on Washington Street. The committee’s ongoing preservation efforts continue into the present day, with recent construction projects focused on structural enhancements, such as repairing the rear exterior deck.

“It’s an emergency exit from the second floor, is basically what it is,” Day noted.

This crucial safety egress allows local civic organizations to host small meetings and gatherings on the second floor of the Morse House in South Norwood. At present, several active community groups—including the South Norwood Committee and the Norwood Town Republican Committee—regularly hold their meetings at the historic house, Day explained.

“The only other thing that has to be done is we need to get the call boxes installed,” Day said, explaining that because there are no active telephone landlines routed to the home, these dedicated call boxes will directly connect the property to emergency services, allowing occupants to instantly contact the police should the need ever arise. Once this final safety requirement is fully satisfied, the committee will be able to welcome the general public inside for major community events and museum exhibits.

History of the House and Family

The Morse family anchored an indispensable chapter in Norwood’s early municipal history. George Morse served the fledgling town in multiple high-profile leadership roles, initially acting as the town’s first tax assessor when Norwood was incorporated in 1872. He was subsequently elected to the Board of Selectmen during the town’s very first public election in 1877, maintaining his seat on the governing board until 1893.

The historic estate remained in the possession of the Morse family until 1913, when it was sold to the Walpole Family Trust. The building subsequently functioned as a private single-family residence until the late 1920s. In 1933, the property was sold to the town for the symbolic price of $1, under the explicit legal stipulation that it be maintained and utilized for the direct benefit of the inhabitants of Norwood. Following the municipal acquisition, the Morse House was partitioned into a multifamily dwelling, and numerous local families rented and lived within its walls until 1996.

The modern Morse House Restoration Committee now labors to ensure the building remains a functional, vibrant asset for contemporary residents.

“That’s what we’ve tried to do: restore it for use by the community,” Day emphasized.

Pudsey echoed this sentiment, describing the house as an invaluable historical touchstone that provides citizens with a tangible window into bygone eras.

“It inspires history. When people come here, they learn things they never knew about Norwood, the town, and its people,” he stated.

Residents and regional history enthusiasts interested in touring the grounds and learning more about the Morse House can attend upcoming scheduled open houses. The Morse House was slated to welcome visitors on Sunday, Sept. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Thursday, Sept. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m.

12 Years of Comprehensive Restoration

Formal discussions and initial planning sessions to rescue and restore the dilapidated Morse House began in September 2000, culminating in a comprehensive structural restoration plan by the summer of 2001.

The preservation challenge was immense: the roof was failing and structurally compromised, several interior rooms required complete rebuilding due to severe water damage, and the historic structure entirely lacked basic modern utilities, including heat, running water, and electrical service.

“The big thing we encountered that we absolutely had to do was the roof. The roof was not in good shape,” Day recalled.

At that critical juncture, Richard Maloof, then-president of CertainTeed, stepped forward to donate a brand-new roof, covering all materials and labor costs for the historic home. The new roof was successfully installed in 2003.

“It would have taken years to do that on our own, without their assistance,” Day acknowledged. “The roof was key. We would not have been able to make the house safe without the new roof.”

Also in 2003, the un-electrified building was completely rewired by electrician John Gear. Furthermore, the Dominic Fruci family generously donated all electrical supplies necessary to bring the building’s antiquated wiring fully up to date and in strict compliance with modern municipal building codes.

“Getting the house rewired gave us the ability to work more hours there, because we have no electricity previously,” Day noted, adding that the electrical upgrades brought the property up to code.

A broad coalition of local businesses rallied to support the restoration project over the ensuing years. Shaun Ready of Ready Pest Control inspected the building and administered necessary treatments, while Vic Babel of Babel’s Paint and Decorating Store donated all the paint required for interior and exterior restoration work.

Subsequent repairs and renovations proceeded incrementally based on available funding. Over the years, the house has received a new heating furnace, fresh period-appropriate wallpapering, modern plumbing installations, repointed brick chimneys, new wooden gutters and downspouts, a specialized handicapped-accessible entrance ramp, custom kitchen cabinets and countertops, repaired basement stairways and foundation walls, and new period-styled light fixtures.

Restoration Wish List

Although the heavy structural renovation work is now virtually complete, the Morse House Restoration Committee maintains a final “wish list” of finishing touches and enhancements designed to perfect the property. Day outlined that the committee hopes to purchase a heavy pillow stone to be placed at the head of the Morse House driveway. The commemorative stone would be professionally engraved to read, “Ezra Morse Homestead 1678.”

Additionally, the committee wishes to procure a secure exterior door for the historic “summer kitchen” area located within the Morse House garage, install specialized illumination fixtures for the exterior Morse House sign, and acquire glass display showcases to properly exhibit the extensive collection of historical museum artifacts currently in their possession.

“These are the things that will finish the property and make it what we’ve wanted it to be since day one,” Day concluded.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Transcript Bulletin/Wicked Local (Brad Cole)