In 1886, Friendly Society members with a theatrical bent formed the Norumbega Dramatic Club and toured neighboring towns. Standing: Miss Edith Coburn, Horace Sears, Arthur Milton, Will Coburn, Miss Elizabeth Viles, and Miss Alice Jones. Seated: Miss Ellen Jones and Mr. Anthony, the schoolteacher.
 

Featured exhibit: The Weston Historical Society will feature Friendly Society photos and memorabilia in its next two exhibits. The first exhibit will cover the years from 1885 through 1950 (December 22 through January 31 at the Weston Public Library and February 1 to March 15 at Town Hall). The second exhibit will cover 1950 to the present (February 1 to March 15 at the library and March 16 to April 30 at Town Hall). The exhibit cases are located in the library reading room and Town Hall first floor hallway.

Below are several photographs from Friendly Society productions over the years.
 

From about 1902 to 1920, Friendly Society plays were held at the Horace Sears estate, Haliewa. Sears constructed the 200-seat theater, shown in this photo, as a wing of his estate mansion, located just east of First Parish Church.
 

For pictures of some of the cast members of Pirates of Penzance, click here. Henry W. Patterson played the lead role of Richard, the Pirate Chief.

The First Parish Friendly Society was formed in 1885 “to promote friendly relations” and raise funds for building a new church. At first, membership was limited to members of First Parish but by the 1890s, other Weston residents could also join in the fun. Today, as one of the oldest community theater organizations in the country, the Friendly Society continues its long tradition of producing dramatic entertainments, although no longer under the auspices of First Parish.  The society held a 125th Anniversary Gala on January 23. See their website, www.westonfriendly.org for additional information.

 The first president, Horace Sears, was the 30-year-old son of former First Parish minister Rev. Edmund H. Sears. One of the first functions was a Fancy Dress Party held in the town hall (since demolished) in November 1886. Minutes of the society describe it as “the most brilliant party ever given in Weston.”  By 1891-92, the First Parish Friendly Society was publishing an annual program listing twice-monthly entertainments including plays, lectures, variety shows, holiday parties, dances, slide shows, card parties, debates, spelling matches, poetry readings, and much more.

When Horace Sears achieved financial success, he developed his estate, Haliewa, just east of the church. He built an impressive mansion that incorporated a theater completed in 1901 and used for Friendly Society dramatic productions for almost two decades. The Friendly Society’s first musical comedy was A Nautical Knot (1915). In 1919 the group presented The Red Mill, and thereafter they produced a major musical comedy every three years. These large benefit musicals gradually replaced the bimonthly programs. During the Depression, the society decided to save royalties by writing original shows. Henry W. Patterson wrote the book and lyrics for the first two shows, Many Happy Returns (1937) and So Deep (1940). These were followed by six more original productions: Personal Service (1947), Escape on the Cape (1950), Never Walk Alone (1953), All Kidding Aside (1956), Jericho (1959), and On the Fence (1962).

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Headquarters

The Weston Historical Society is currently located in the Josiah Smith Tavern, 358 Boston Post Road, across from the Weston Town Green.
 

Josiah Smith Tavern at Christmas 2008
 

Open Hours

Wednesdays 10-12 noon and by appointment (781-893-3093)
 

Mailing Address

Weston Historical Society
P.O. Box 343
Weston, MA 02493