Arts & Entertainment
A Fairbanks Celebration of Dedham's Past
The Fairbanks Family of America held its annual reunion Sunday as Dedham celebrates 375 years.
Residents of Dedham, along with many others, congregated at the historic Fairbanks House Sunday to celebrate the 375th anniversary of settlement in the Town of Dedham. The event was made possible by The Fairbanks Family In America.
This busy day began with an opening ceremony hosted by Chris Messier, including a special guest appearance from state Rep. Paul McMurtry and music from the Sudbury Fyfe & Drum Company.
After the opening ceremony, organizer Peter Cook introduced crafters, who showcased their skills that harped back to the early 18th century.
Find out what's happening in Dedhamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“This is my first time demonstrating at the Fairbanks House,” said Penny Lacroix, of Westford.
Along with her husband Daniel, Penny Lacroix worked diligently on a wheel spinning yarn as she explained that the wheel she was using was used mostly for wool and cotton.
Find out what's happening in Dedhamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Lacroixs said they enjoy participating in these types of events together.
“We try to do the [events] that we can both come to,” Penny Lacroix said.
Among the many craftsmen and women at the event was an 11th generation descendant of Jonathan Fairbanks, and Daniel Fairbanks of Orem, Utah who served as a clay modeler.
Also included in the extensive list of crafters was Gina Gerhard of Hill, N.H., who demonstrated the lost art of flax dressing and spinning.
“Nobody demonstrates this anymore,” said Gerhard. “I had to learn it myself. I’ve been doing flax for about eight years.”
Flax dressing and spinning was a basic part of life in the colonial period, but over time has been lost in a world of machines and mass production.
The day also included a presentation on midwifery from Patti Violette, director of the Shirley Eustis House in Boston, and a one-woman play depicting the life of early settler Grace Fairbanks starring Beth Goldman.
Tours of the historic Fairbanks House were offered to all interested, and the day finished off with a singing quartet as the day’s patient clouds began to patter against the tent above, ending a day rich with history and fun.
