Canton Historical Society

10/11/2026

We're still taking donations for our yard sale this Saturday! To donate or volunteer, contact Carol Munson at 781-828-1670 or [email protected].

10/09/2026

Weekend Plans - https://mailchi.mp/4b08bfd461f3/events

10/06/2026

As part of Massachusetts Archaeology Month, join UMass Boston’s Fiske Center for Archaeological Research at the historic Gridley Cemetery on Saturday, October 10 from 11 am to 2 pm.

Faculty and graduate students from the historical archaeology program will be conducting a program of experimental Ground Penetrating Radar.

Archaeologists and members of the Canton Historical Society will be on site to discuss this historic site and the non-invasive research being conducted in collaboration with the Town of Canton Historical Commission.

The tests will be conducted over the course of several days to assess the cemetery for future preservation. This is a project funded by the Community Preservation Act through the Town of Canton.

If you visit on Saturday, park in the rear at Hagan Court and walk over. Please do not block driveways or park on Washington Street.

09/26/2026

Registered on Sept. 28, 1880. Local Patent Medicine.

09/26/2026

We Need A Letter of Support - Can you help? - https://mailchi.mp/f992cc1cbb75/cpa_asr

09/25/2026

Love a Good Yard Sale? So Do We!

The Canton Historical Society Annual Yard Sale returns on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and we need your help filling the tables and getting ready for the big day!

We’re seeking donations of clean, useful, and interesting items, including household goods, collectibles, books, kitchenware, decorative pieces, vintage treasures, and small furnishings. Please, no clothing or large furniture.

We also need volunteers to help sort, price, transport, organize, and display items before and during the sale. If you have a knack for yard sales, this is your moment to shine.

Members-Only Preview: 8:30–9:00 a.m.
Public Sale: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

To donate or volunteer, contact Carol Munson at 781-828-1670 or [email protected].

Clear out a closet, lend a hand, or come hunt for a treasure. Every donation and every volunteer helps support the work of the Canton Historical Society.

Send a message to learn more

09/21/2026

Love Yard Sales? We need You! - https://mailchi.mp/2ba570acc809/yardsale26

09/14/2026

I am sitting here in tears this evening. On many Sunday nights I find myself going through a few boxes of uncatalogued materials. Tonight I came upon this letter, and upon reading it twice, it has moved me to tears. Sweet tears.

Albion Dyer Wilde was born in Roxbury in 1868. In 1904, Albion married Charlotte Endicott, who would then be Charlotte Endicott Wilde. They lived at 1032 Washington Street (near Wildewood Drive).

Just prior to Albion's death, in the 41st year of their marriage, Albion sat at his desk and penned a letter to his wife. Albion knew he was dying, and 29 days before he died he took out his stationary and wrote a letter and sealed it - writing on the envelope "For Sharlie darling." With instructions to his wife to "read after he goes."

Charlotte Endicott Wilde was an amazing woman and saved so much of Canton's history. Deeply connected to the Canton Historical Society, she served as our first female President. It is not surprising to find this letter tucked in among our papers. It is such a beautiful and poignant gesture from a dying husband to his wife.

Charlotte died in 1954 at age 88. They are buried together at Canton Corner Cemetery.

Here is the letter:

Wyndycroft
1032 Washington Street
Canton

To Sharlie my own little girl
41 years of bliss and happiness.
Can you imagine a temporary break
would make any change? I can’t.
I have tried to be a good husband
for you and surely you have been
everything for a wife could be.

So it is fortunate we have these
few short days to talk this over and try
to adjust ourselves to the change instead
of one of us dropping off with out a
warning. We have so many dear
pleasant places we have roamed together
and so many dear friends have been
with us through it all, I do want you to
carry on as before. I will be beside you to
guide and lead you and you can look
up and see smiling at you dear.

I feel the sooner you can make the
break and go about see your friends who
will be only too anxious to help you over the
rough places — do let them, go half way
and we will be happier for it.

Now dear at best it will not be for long
before we will all be reunited in that
promised land.

Here is one good long hug and kiss
Cheer up and let me see that you are
happy through separation

When and if you do get down hearted
just sit down and read this message to
my dear wife Sharlie

Forever your dear Albion

Sept 7th, 1945

I will always be near you
and thinking of and loving you
dear

09/07/2026

Not all of our photos in our collection are of Canton subjects. As photography became a hobby, some of our early members took photo expeditions. Here is a very early photo of the Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden.

Boston Public Garden lagoon with an early Swan Boat and named rowboats, circa 1895. (2025.0610.68)