WALPOLE - OUR HISTORY
Our Town’s 300 year history, dating back to December 10th 1724 when we broke away from Dedham, has been well documented by generations of careful historians at the Walpole Historical Society (Which incidentally is 125 years young this year as well!)
The Walpole 300th Anniversary Committee is very grateful for their partnership in our tercentennial celebration. Below you will find links to the works of many of our local historians on a wide range of historical topics. To learn more about the Historical Society, Join them, or learn more about their latest collaboration with the Historical Commission A Historic House Sign Project, please follow the links below. The Committee is excited to announce a number of historical observances, including Historic Trolly Tours and a Time Capsule Opening in the coming months.
Maps of Walpole
Walpole Historical Videos
George Bird The Industrialist & His Legacy by Laurie Kearney
A History of the Old Colony Rail Line through Walpole by Betsey Dexter Dyer
A History of Ice Harvesting on Walpole Ponds by Betsy Dexter Dyer
Walpole’s Boston Post Cane by Betsey Dexter Dyer
Stories of Historic Walpole: Great Fires Part II by Katie Birtwell
Stories of Historic Walpole: Great Fires Part I by Katie Birtwell
Stories of Historic Walpole: The Hurricane of 1938
Stories of Historic Walpole: Lost Walpole Part II by Katie Birtwell
Stories of Historic Walpole: Lost Walpole Part I by Katie Birtwell
Stories of Historic Walpole- Exceptional Women of Walpole by Katie Birtwell
Barns of Walpole By George Ransom
Historic Profile: Henry Plimpton Kendell by George Ransom
200 years of Plimptonville with George Ransom
Walpole Prison A Look Inside- 1982
History of the Walpole Foundry- by Barbara Bartholomew and Charles Hardy
Historical Studies, Papers & Articles
About the Town’s Namesake, Sir Robert Walpole MP
A Short History of Walpole from 1922 by Maud Graves
Walpole Historical Inventory from Historical Commission 1982
Walpole in the Blizzard of 78′
The Brass Ball Tavern by Laurie Kearney
Walpole in the American Revolution a Lecture for the Daughter’s of the American Revolution (1962)
Walpole Cemetery Transcription Project
Old Photos of Town Buildings from the Historical Society
Walpole Historic House Tour (Common & Lewis Ave)
A History of Walpole Schools by Carl West 1990
Reflections before the 250th Anniversary by Carolyn Towle 1975
Early Notes on Walpole from Mrs. Porter Boyden’s Writings 1897
Walpole Historical Weather Data
A Geologic History of Walpole by Charles Hardy rev. 2007
Our Land & Its Settlers – Author Unattributed
Planting of the Town Forest May 6, 1916 Boston Globe Article
The Churches of Walpole by Elizabeth Cottrell
Past Recipients of the Boston Post Cane
50 Years of the Kendall Company by Henry P. Kendall 1953
The American Glue Company by Karl West & Betty Cottrell
Early Industrial Sites in Walpole by Karl West
A Chronology of Railroading in Walpole Edited by F.D. Donovan 2002