Norwood Celebrates The Town's Birthday With Special Events

NORWOOD, MA - Norwood is getting ready to celebrate its 150th birthday in grand style with a series of upcoming events.

On Wednesday night, the Norwood 150th Committee will hold a banquet at the Sheraton Four Points commemorating the then-governor’s signature on the 1872 bill creating the town of Norwood. This is the official birth date for Norwood.

On Sunday, March 6, the Norwood Historical Society will sponsor a virtual reception commemorating the town’s formal incorporation – what might be called Norwood’s second birthday.

In 1872 citizens of South Dedham voted to secede and form the town of Norwood. On March 6 of that year, the vote was ratified and a celebratory event was held. Prior to a formal gathering with elected officials of the Commonwealth at Village Hall, Lewis and Anna (Smith) Day welcomed Norwood residents and guests to a reception in their home at 93 Day Street.

"The Norwood Historical Society will recreate this festive event, even if Governor Washburn and Senator Wakefield are no longer available to join us," according to Cashman Kerr Prince, president of the Norwood Historical Society.

Out of respect for everyone’s comfort levels during the ongoing pandemic, this will be a virtual event.

"We are working with Norwood Community Media to welcome you virtually to the Day House and to share with you highlights of that 1872 gathering," Kerr Prince said. "We are organizing festive favors for those who join us."

Updated information on these and other Norwood Historical Society events will be posted on the Norwood Historical Society's website.

Young people will be engaging in activities to celebrate their town involvement. On March 12, Impact Norwood will sponsor its second annual Community Dodgeball Tournament in conjunction with the town's Recretion Department at the Norwood Civic Center at 165 Nahatan St. from 5 to 7 p.m.

Youths in grades six through 12 are invited to register to participate in the tournament by going to this link and pressing the "Register" button. Individuals or groups of up to five persons can register. Each team will have five youths and one or two adults assigned to help with Impact Norwood’s larger mission to encourage healthy relationships between adults and youths.

Players from the winning team will be awarded a gift card to one of the following: Target, Dunkin’, Showcase Cinema or SPoT! Registration closes on the day of the event. Please contact Impact Norwood Program Director Aubrey Ciol via email.

Norwood 150th April events will include an Earth Day clean-up with accompanying picnic and fair on April 24; a library lecture on the history of Norwood Police and Fire on April 28; and a bike rodeo sponsored by the Norwood Police Department on April 30. Details will be forthcoming on the Norwood 150 website as the dates approach.

Norwood 150th events comply with federal, state and local COVID requirements, as well as requirements set by the venue, if any.