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The Wellesley Historical Society hosted its spring fundraiser, “Looking Back on America’s Favorite Pastime,” on Friday, May 5, at the Wellesley Country Club. For the past few years the organization has honored a supportive member of the community at its event, but this year the planning committee decided to have a baseball-themed dinner with a panel discussion as the main attraction.
Moderated by Emmy Award–winning former sportscaster Mike Dowling, the discussion’s participants were Sam Kennedy, president of the Boston Red Sox, Tony Massarotti from radio’s 98.5 the Sports Hub, and Richard Johnson, curator of Boston’s Sports Museum. The group discussed the history of the Boston Red Sox as well as the current season and players.
The event featured a dinner similar to one a spectator would have while visiting Fenway Park: hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and Cracker Jacks, along with beer and wine.
Mike Dowling also served as auctioneer for the live auction, which raised money to match a grant for archival processing that the Society has received from Wellesley’s Community Preservation Committee. Auction winners took home Red Sox tickets, Billy Joel tickets, a weekend stay in Nantucket, and other prizes.
The funds raised from “Looking Back on America’s Favorite Pastime” will support the Wellesley Historical Society’s programs, collections, scholarships, and operating expenses. The Society cares for nearly 100 archival collections from individuals, clubs, organizations, and families of Wellesley as well as nearly 3,000 maps and plans, 33,000 photographs, and 1,500 historical costumes. It also presents lectures, walking tours, workshops, and school programs.
The Wellesley Historical Society’s staff and board thanked those who attended the event, and the donors who supported it. Visit www.wellesleyhistoricalsociety.org/springfundraiser for more details on the event.
