Rain doesn't dampen premiere

September 6 was Norwood Day, filled with family-fun games and live entertainment, and for most of the day it was sunny and bright. But two hours prior to the premiere of the full-length documentary, “Welcome to Norwood...the Movie,” directed by resident Jerry Kelleher, the rain came down hard and heavy. Luckily it subsided to a drizzle before the private screening at the Norwood Theater, at 7 p.m.

At least 700 people flocked to this special premiere that covers the development of Norwood over three centuries. Produced by Kelleher and Brendan King of 10th District Studios, the two made some brief remarks at the start of the film.

Kelleher said the idea for the film came three years ago, 2022, during the 150th celebration of the founding of Norwood.

“We thought it would be nice to represent the Town going forward,” he said. “It’s important that we preserve the history of the Town, it’s evolving all the time. The people in the film didn’t know they were making history at the time, but they sure enough were.”

Kelleher noted all the people who contributed to the film were listed at either the start or end of the film in the credits. The movie was shown in two one-hour segments, giving patrons a 10-minute window for an intermission and to refresh their glasses of pinot grigio. King acknowledged the Norwood Theater as being a historic building and thus a fitting venue for the film.

“We expect this movie to be showing at the 250th anniversary,” Kelleher said, to a cheering audience.

The documentary began with dramatic, classical music over bright images of film strips splashed across the screen with flashy transitions. Before officially becoming a town in 1872, the film’s narrator explained, Norwood was known as South Dedham. Dedham itself began in 1636. South Dedham was also called Tiot, the Native American term which means surrounded by water. The lush streams that fell into the Neponset River made for an attractive place to live, and some of the oldest houses, such as the Chickering House and the Dean House, remain to this day.

Despite the vast natural beauty of the Town, the main issue residents had was the levies administered by area churches on citizens. South Dedham residents also resented the many miles of travel on what was known as the Pequot Trail to the main areas of town. Thus the combination of taxes and rough 5-mile travel caused some to want to form their own town. In 1730, Norwood requested its own church and after receiving one, they named the area the Second Parish. The film mentioned several prominent figures including the Guild family who had streets, squares and schools named after them. Aaron Guild is the Town folk hero famed for fighting in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and is featured on the Town seal.

The film covered the origins of Washington Street and the significance of various taverns in the commercial district. One distinct area was called The Hook, named for a large metal hook on wires that allowed stagecoach drivers to throw up their reigns. It also served postal workers to hang bags of mail. Other markers of history were juxtaposed with what was happening in Norwood from railroads, manufacturing and the spreading of the economy and jobs. Norwood consisted of descendants of the original settlers who were eager for growth and resented their treatment by the Town of Dedham. The final issue that led to separation was a request for a new high school, which was denied.

To further the animosity, Dedham did not allow South Dedham residents to display fireworks on the fourth of July, so the residents rang bells of freedom, which the Town of Dedham also did not apparently appreciate.

Going through the Massachusetts State House, representatives of South Dedham issued formal petitions for incorporation. Receiving their independence, the next step was deciding on a town name and among a dozen or so, two names came to the front: Ames and Norwood. Since the Ames family was a longstanding prominent Dedham family, the South Dedham residents decided on Norwood for a fresh start.

Prior to the film, many people huddled in front of the theater, closing their umbrellas and joking about the lovely weather. Jeanne Vautour, who is not originally from Norwood but came here in 1975, said she is a member of the senior center in Norwood and referenced Kelleher’s wife, Nanci, who is the activities director. While excited for the film, she expressed dismay over Norwood’s minimal green space and growing housing. “But it’s a great Town. I still like it.”

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Gail DiMaggio said she has lived in Norwood for 51 years and praised the Norwood Senior Center as a place for seniors to laugh and enjoy life. She echoed Vautour’s point of Norwood being overbuilt but shared a love for the town. “I just love Norwood. It’s a very welcoming town.”

Peggy Lydon Foley said she has lived in Norwood her whole life and then pointed to her group of friends to say they also fell into that group and all were excited to see a documentary film about their home.

Dr. Peter Lydon, holding onto multiple tickets, explained how his father worked as a doctor for 35 years and that he is one of the 11 Lydons, a prominent family in Norwood that hands out a volunteer award annually. Kelleher walked by him and referred to him as a legend. Good vibes were aplenty at this feel-good celebration of a town’s rich history.

Among the groups benefiting in part from the proceeds are the Norwood Senior Center and the Preservation of the Old Parish Cemetery.

For more information, go to norwoodstage.com.