It is always fun to peel back the layers of a hometown and find out some unique and perhaps even unknown facts. Needham, Massachusetts, certainly has its share of standout people, interesting history, and terrific trivia.
- Did you know that Olympic Six-time Olympic medal-winning gymnast Aly Raisman grew up in Needham? The house was sold in 2013 and completely renovated. However, the gym in the basement where Aly grew up practicing still exists. The new owners did not touch that part of the home to preserve the history.
- Did you know that the town of Wellesley used to be part of the town of Needham and that the town of Needham used to be part of the town of Dedham? Needham was settled in 1680 and incorporated in 1711. It was originally part of Dedham but broke away in 1711 to become its own town. In 1881 the West Parish portion of Needham broke off to form the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts.
- Did you know that the town of Needham was named after the Needham Market in Suffolk England?
- Did you know that the town of Needham was the first town to raise the age of buying tobacco products to 21 years of age? This was done in the year 2005 and started a trend for other towns to follow.
- Did you know that the town of Needham has a knack for turning out future governors? Charlie Baker, governor of Massachusetts, was raised on Cleveland Road in Needham and graduated from Needham High School in 1975. Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey, was born in Needham and graduated from Needham High School in 1975 as well.
- Did you know that the newest elementary school in Needham, Sunita Williams Elementary is named after NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who considers Needham her home? It opened in the fall of 2019 and is located just West of Needham Heights.
Now that you know some interesting trivia about Needham, you can dive even deeper into the unique history of this wonderful town. For more information about living in Needham, MA go to this link.
