Register’s Corner: Celebrate with us

By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk Register of Deeds

When it comes to chronicling the American story, few registries are as steeped in the history of our country as the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. The first governor of Massachusetts, John Hancock, who earlier in his political career was the lead signer of the Declaration of Independence, signed legislation in 1793 which created the Registry of Deeds. Today, amongst the more than eight million land-related documents housed at the registry, are records pertaining to the homes and birthplaces of four U.S. presidents.

A little more than a year ago on June 20, 2018, the Registry of Deeds celebrated its 225th anniversary. It was a wonderful event. The evening was noted by history and song, or as John Adams, the second president of the United States and a resident of the county would say, it was filled with “pomp and circumstance.”

On the evening of Wednesday, October 2, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will hold an open house to honor another milestone, the “rededication” of its historic 116-year-old building. Additionally, the event will promote the second edition of the registry’s Notable Land Records of famous and influential people who lived in Norfolk County.

Now if you come to the open house you might actually have that déjà vu feeling that you have been here before. It could have been for a real estate closing, but chances are just as likely you’ve seen the building at the movies or on your television set. The classic style granite column building on the corner of Ames and High streets in Dedham has been the scene of several Hollywood movies, including the Oscar-nominated film the The Judge, starring Robert Downey and Robert Duvall. And it was just only a couple of weeks ago that scenes were filmed for the upcoming thriller I Care a Lot, starring Peter Dinklage, Rosamund Pike and Eiza Gonzalez.

While Hollywood movies can be glamorous and glitzy, I must admit there were a few “grey hairs” sprouting from the registry building over the past few years. So with some repairs, renovations and improvements, such as repairs to the granite outside edifice, a new roof, a new boiler, repaired ceilings and moldings, more research space as well as interior painting, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building is more welcoming than ever when it comes to rolling out the red carpet.

If you are in the area, please come by and see the building and get a complimentary copy of our Notable Land Records Vol. 2 booklet. Furthermore, you can browse the exhibits of these notable people, one from each of the 28 communities that comprise the county. These individuals have led remarkable lives: one is considered to be the greatest American composer of modern time; another was a six‐time Olympic gold medalist; and another was a chief of staff to a president of the United States, who whispered in his boss’s ear, “A second plane has hit the second tower. America is under attack.” The Library of Congress selected our first booklet for addition to the Library’s General Collections. We think our second booklet is special too.

So mark down the date of October 2. We’d love to have you as our guests. Admission is free. Who knows, you might be sharing some light refreshments with a few noted American revolutionary heroes as you stroll our historic and stately building.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. For more information about the event, call 781-461-6116 or email registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Around the Real Estate Block: Canton property sales totaled 40 for July 2019. The average property sale price (including residential and commercial) for July was $469,168. There were 35 Homestead filings and one foreclosure deed filed against a Canton property for the month of July.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=60260

Posted by Guest on Sep 14 2019. Filed under Featured Content, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.