On September 6, at 7 p.m., local history will come alive on the big screen at the Norwood Theatre, as Welcome to Norwood, the Movie makes its highly anticipated premiere during this year’s Norwood Day celebration. The film is a cinematic journey through the town’s two centuries, featuring historical information chronicling Norwood’s people, stories, business ventures, and modern-day milestones. Showing for one day only, the movie offers both lifelong residents and newcomers an entertaining and heartfelt tribute to the town they call home.

Brendan King and Jerry Kelleher, both Norwood natives and run an award-winning production company called 10th District Studios, have created quite a few films about specific topics related to the town, such as one about the famed Norwood Arena Speedway and the Banner Years of Hockey in Massachusetts. Several years ago, they were approached with a small grant to create a film about the entire history of Norwood in conjunction with its 150th anniversary of incorporation in 1872.

“This really is a production that is going to belong to the town,” King stated. “We were fortunate because the content is really all laid out for us, with a lot of research already done by the Norwood Historical Society and Patricia J. Fanning, who has published several books about the history of the area.”

The audience can expect to see dramatic portrayals of key moments in Norwood history, including founding families, the growth of neighborhoods that are still named after their native countries, the development of local industry, and the lives of its citizens. The film also highlights beloved landmarks and historic buildings, working in old photographs and providing a unique visual tour of what Norwood looked like years ago. 

“Norwood used to be part of South Dedham, which went all the way to the Rhode Island border,” King said. “We took a look at the industrialists, the people who gave rise to the town, how the printing industry took root here, the impacts of wars and illnesses like the influenza pandemic, and more. It’s a linear, documentary-style film where we have local people read passages because they are the current voices of Norwood. It was important for us to have them involved.”

The one-night premiere will coincide with Norwood Day, the town’s annual celebration of community, culture, and local pride. The event will blend entertainment and history, with performances, vendor booths, and more, offering an opportunity to experience Norwood like never before. 

View the movie trailer and purchase tickets to the premiere of Welcome to Norwood, the Movie at www.10thdistrictstudios.com for $25; seating is limited.

Can’t make the opening launch? The movie will later be shown on Norwood Community Media and available on the 10th District Studios website (www.10thdistrictstudios.com) as a flash drive for a small fee.