A Summer Picnic At The Fairbanks House

Monday, July 16, was a wonderful day of friendship and celebration at the 1636 Fairbanks House in Dedham. Annette Eddy, past co-president and Mary Joyce, program co-chair led the members of Dedham’s Fairbanks Garden Club in welcoming the Medfield Garden Club to commemorate their 85th Anniversary. The two clubs celebrated an old fashion 1930s style picnic filled with food, games, prizes and tours of the Fairbanks House. Thanks to our generous hosts at the Fairbanks House: Leslie Greismer, Dan and Allison Neff. Thank you also to Michele Feinsilver, President, Catherine Belden, program chair and Carle Brenton, hospitality chair of the Medfield Garden Club who worked very hard to make this collaborative picnic a memorable and successful event.

So how did this re-creation of history come about here at the Fairbanks House in 2018 for the 85th Anniversary of the Medfield Garden Club?

Idella Cole Hussey founded the Medfield Garden Club on June 21, 1933. Idella was born into the Fairbanks family, her maternal grandmother was Eliza Fairbanks, a descendant of George Fairbanks (second son of Jonathan and Grace, the builders of the house).

By Aug. 16, 1933, Idella took the original ten founders of the Medfield Garden Club to the Fairbanks House for a summer picnic and outing.

Within a year, there were twenty members and the group often came to the Fairbanks House for outings and summer meetings. The tradition of the summer picnic had begun!

It was wonderful to have Cheryl O'Malley, President of the Friends of the Dwight Derby House in Medfield present at our picnic. She also is a direct descendant of Grace and Jonathan Fairbanks through her mother's side of the family. Cheryl was a docent and a member of the Fairbanks House Board.

It was a memorable day for both Clubs filled with history, friendship and fun!