The Natick Historical Society builds community by inspiring connections to local history. Through research and close study of our collections, we work to recover and share the lives and experiences that history has often overlooked.

Explore rotating exhibitions, online features, and objects from Natick’s past.

From Manuscripts to Museum Exhibits: Heather Walker’s Archival Adventures

Heather Walker was awarded the third and fourth Marg M. Balcom Archival Fellowship at the Natick Historical Society. A Natick resident since 1999, Heather (she/her) holds a B.A. in English and Women’s Studies and an M.A. in Children’s Literature from Simmons University. She recently made a professional pivot to pursue a career in archives, earning her MSLIS with a concentration in Archival Management from Simmons University in May 2025. Heather has worked for a variety of nonprofits, including the Unitarian Universalist Area Church in Sherborn, the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard, and Simmons University.

Her 2024 fellowship focused on researching, curating, and updating the “Across the Centuries: Looking at Local Objects” NHS museum exhibit. Returning as the 2025 Fellow, Heather concentrated on the Society’s Founders Collection, which comprises documents, books, and manuscripts acquired over many decades, primarily dating from the 18th and 19th centuries and relating to Natick’s history. The collection currently houses 37.5 cubic feet of records, some of which the Society plans to digitize and make available online in the coming years. Heather meticulously inventoried and cataloged over 350 documents, providing detailed, item-level descriptions that made the collection more accessible and invaluable to researchers.

Heather is a remarkable part of our team—self-starting, detail-oriented, and deeply dedicated to her work. She is a joy to work with, and we truly enjoyed having her at the Society this summer. Outside of her archival work, Heather is an exceptional baker, known for creating custom birthday cakes for her family and friends. Her dedication, professionalism, and creativity have made a lasting impact on our collections and the preservation of Natick’s history.

Thank you, Heather!

By Jennifer Richards

Snapshots of Natick: Exploring Our Past Through the NHS Collections

From NHS Founders Collections: Invitation from William Emerson Baker to Joshua Parmenter for a swan’s funeral at Ridge Hill Farms, c. 1870s. Part of our Founders Collection, this piece reflects Baker’s eccentric humor and flair for spectacle.