May 4th Water in Dedham – Past, Present and Future Symposium and Exhibit

Event Link

Join us on Saturday, May 4th from 9:30am -12pm as we explore the history and future of water in Dedham. Experts in the field will enlighten us on the history of New England's most prominent urban river, the Charles. Speakers from the Dedham Historical Society & Museum, Charles River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, Dedham Westwood Water District, local high school students, Dedham Trails and L.L. Bean will reveal its past, present and likely future.
 Once a haven for residents seeking respite from the City and a major source of recreation, the Charles River later became heavily polluted as a result of urbanization. Since the EPA launched its Charles River Cleanup in 1995, the river has come back as a place for recreational activity: in the past few years, Dedham has built 3 public canoe launches and created a 6.5-mile Water Trail, partnering with L.L Bean to get residents out on the water.
Our symposium on May 4 will also explore how extreme precipitation events and flooding in the future will impact the river and the town through which it flows. Immediately following the symposium, please join us at the Dolan Center Launch, 269 Common Street for a guided tour of the Charles River in Dedham by L.L. Bean. Please register for this tour at www.llbean.com.
Please visit the following locations for historic and current photos of water in Dedham. The exhibit will run from mid April through mid May (exact dates to be announced soon) at the following locations: 
Dedham Historical Society & Museum, 612 High St
Dedham Community House, 671 High St
Dedham Community Theater, 580 High St
Dedham Public Library, Main Branch, 43 Church St
Dedham Public Library, Endicott Branch, 257 Mt Vernon St
Dolan Recreation Center, 269 Common Street
MotherBrook Arts and Community Center, 123 High St

Thank you to our sponsors - Dedham Land Trust & L.L. Bean for their generous donations that have made this event possible.