A Needham native's hometown memories

Gary Newton, who spent his childhood in Needham, fondly recalls the local customs that forged the town into a cohesive community. Here are some of the things he remembers. “In Needham, we lived across the street from the birthplace and childhood home of America’s most famous illustrator, N.C. Wyeth. After moving to Chadds Ford, PA, N.C. missed Needham terribly. Every evening for 30 years it is said that N.C. went outside, faced Needham, and mentally projected himself back to his far away childhood homestead. Perhaps it was his father’s longing for Needham that prompted Andrew Wyeth to paint, ‘Far From Needham.’” This photo shows the south side of Great Plain Avenue, taken in 1965.
Courtesy of Needham Historical Society
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By Gary Newton, Globe Correspondent
Gary Newton, who spent his childhood in Needham, fondly recalls the local customs that forged the town into a cohesive community. Here are some of the things he remembers.

“In Needham, we lived across the street from the birthplace and childhood home of America’s most famous illustrator, N.C. Wyeth. After moving to Chadds Ford, PA, N.C. missed Needham terribly. Every evening for 30 years it is said that N.C. went outside, faced Needham, and mentally projected himself back to his far away childhood homestead. Perhaps it was his father’s longing for Needham that prompted Andrew Wyeth to paint, ‘Far From Needham.’”

This photo shows the south side of Great Plain Avenue, taken in 1965.