On Sunday, June 8th, from 3-5 p.m., Race Amity Day & Richard Fry Plaque Dedication at Avery Field will celebrate the friendships between people of different races and cultures, and recognize the collaborations which advance equity and social justice. All are welcome to attend the dedication of the plaque and learn more about Richard Fry while enjoying live music, food, and crafts. Avery Field is located at 355 Webster Street in Needham Heights. Street parking is limited, so people are encouraged to park in the nearby Temple Beth Shalom parking lot.
The story began 75 years ago, when Richard Fry, a respected and active citizen of Needham and son of a formerly enslaved man, died and left his estate to the Town of Needham. Town Meeting Members voted to use his bequest of $1800 plus an additional $6000 in Town funds to make improvements to the playground behind Avery School, which included creating the Town’s first Little League field, and to install a memorial to Fry.
Fast forward to August 2023, when Green Needham Collaborative ran a special campaign with the Mass Save program to encourage Needham residents to get home energy assessments. Each completed assessment resulted in Green Needham making a $25 donation towards a tree planting project. Working with the Parks & Forestry Division of the Needham DPW, Green Needham decided to purchase several trees for the recently renovated Avery Field.
And that’s when Green Needham’s Chair, Michael Greis, noticed in the corner of Avery Field a large rock that obviously once held a plaque. He asked his wife Gloria Greis, who is the Executive Director of the Needham History Center & Museum, if she knew anything about it, and she filled him in about Richard Fry and what had been written on the plaque.
This prompted the idea of replacing the missing plaque and incorporating trees and some low-maintenance plants around the site. Several native trees were planted, and Green Needham reached out to members of the three Needham garden clubs, who planted assorted spring bulbs that were donated by Volante Farms. Green Needham also sought donations from community businesses, organizations, and private individuals to order a new plaque to honor Richard Fry.
Race Amity Day is sponsored by the Needham Diversity Initiative. Click here to view event flyer.
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