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The Stories Behind Dedham’s War Memorials

with Stuart Christie, Senior Docent

War Memorials, what could be less controversial than honoring those who served our country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice? But, somehow it hasn’t turned out that way in Dedham, MA.

Stuart Christie, a Dedham resident of over 46 years, a Vietnam War veteran, and an amateur historian, will provide a look at the town’s fascinating history in dealing with
designing and implementing war memorials.

Starting as early as 1766, proposals for these monuments gave rise to pitched battles between conflicting ideologies: Rebel versus Tory; Federalist versus Republican (the
old style one); America Firster (another old style one) versus Interventionist; Fiscal Conservative versus Free Spender; and just about every other faction in our town’s
history.

This story includes such personalities as Congressman Fisher Ames, local resident Benjamin Fairbanks, former Boston mayor (and convicted felon) James Michael Curley,
historians Erastus Worthington and Frank Smith, and many others.

And then we have the $7,000 typo! You’ll find out what happened in the days before Spell Check and the designers were working with granite.

Stuart will explore the origins, the political battles, and the numerous construction missteps of the town’s many war monuments from the French and Indian War through
Operation Desert Storm. We’ll examine the memorials no only to the wars, but also specific men who served in those wars, as well as events surrounding the wars. We’ll
also cover the mysterious placement of some of these monuments which because they have been “hidden in plain sight” for years, have received little or no public notice.

While many of the monuments are the traditional bronze plaques affixed to building walls or stone slabs, others are buildings themselves and major open spaces. Some
are well identified; others have no marking at all. And they’re everywhere. Please join us for this fascinating examination of Dedham’s War Memorials.

For adults. Registration required. Please email Brittany at btuttle.ddm@minlib.net with questions. This event is presented in collaboration with The Fairbanks House Museum.

About the Presenter:

Stuart has been a Dedham resident for over 46 years and a docent at the Fairbanks House for the past 12 years. Additionally, he served on the Board of the Dedham Museum & Archive and led tours on the 17th century Puritan history in Boston for the Partnership of Historic Bostons. Several years ago, Stuart transcribed Civil War era letters that were published through the Dedham Museum for a book titled My Dear Mother: Civil War Letters to Dedham from the Lathrop Brothers. Stuart and his wife currently divide their time between their homes in Dedham and Martha's Vineyard.

About The Fairbanks House Museum:

The Fairbanks House in Dedham, MA is the oldest known timber frame house still standing in North America. Built circa 1637 for Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks and their six children, it was home to eight generations of the Fairbanks family over the course of 269 years. The Fairbanks House is now a historic house museum and on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit the Fairbanks House at at 511 East Street, Dedham, Massachusetts, at the corner of East Street and Eastern Avenue. Contact the Fairbanks House at homestead@fairbankshouse.org or connect on Facebook or Instagram. 

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