By Michele Taranto

For those interested in learning about, or even preserving, Norwood history, here is the chance to uncover it legacy for future generations! This month, through Saturday Work Days, local residents acting as Old Parish Preservation Volunteers will spend a few hours each Saturday morning to clean up and improve one of this town’s valuable assets.

The Old Parish Cemetery was established in 1741, when this area was known as the Second or of South Parish of Dedham. At the time, the uninhabitable ¾ acre of land was called Sandy Hill. As the Old Parish Cemetery neared capacity shortly after Norwood became incorporated in 1872, the Highland Cemetery opened in 1880,

Since 2018, the Old Parish Preservation Volunteers, an independent, non-profit group, donate their time to keep clean and learn more about this historical location. The Workdays will be held on Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28, 8:30-10:30 a.m. On any given day there may be between 15 and 20 volunteers cleaning gravestones, repairing broken stones, and remounting fallen/leaning stones.

“Volunteers show up to work in the cemetery,” Old Parish Preservation Volunteers Board Director and volunteer John Grove said. “No registration, no membership dues, just a willingness to work; tools and cleaners are provided.” 

For more information on the Old Parish Cemetery, or volunteering through the Old Parish Preservation Volunteers, visit https://www.norwoodma.gov/residents/highland_cemetery/old_parish_cemetery.php, or oldparishpreservationvolunteers.com.

Also, learn more about the cemetery through these events coming up this month at the Morrill Memorial Library:

Documentary film and Book Launch and Signing of the ‘Old Parish Cemetery of Norwood, Massachusetts,’ by Patricia J. Fanning

Wed., Oct. 4

6:30 p.m.

“The Children’s Hour” Guided Tour of Old Parish Cemetery
Sat., Oct. 21

1 p.m.