On Pansy Day, learn about the origin & history of Needham’s Official Flower

1147 Central Avenue,Needham MA 02492

09 April, 2022

Description

The Needham History Center's annual Pansy Day sale, April 9, offers flowers, gifts and the opportunity to tour a historic Needham house The Needham History Center and Museum is hosting its annual Pansy Day Festival on Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. There will be pansy plants of all sizes – flats, potted arrangements, and hanging planters – in an array of vibrant colors to purchase. Beautifully created containers will be available to adorn patios and porches. Early purchase is recommended for the best selections of this popular harbinger of spring. Items from the NHC Gift Shop and Heirloom Shop will also be available to purchase. Come celebrate Spring, and Needham's Official Flower – developed by Needham's "Pansy King," Swiss botanist Denys Zirngiebel. Zirngiebel was a commercial grower who developed several spectacular varieties of the flower at his greenhouses on South Street. His Giant Swiss Pansies won awards and were sold all over the country and led to the pansy becoming the emblem of Needham and its history. Zirngiebel was also the grandfather of the famous illustrator (and Needham native) NC Wyeth. Wyeth grew up in his grandfather’s house, and even owned it himself at one point. He often depicted Needham people and scenes in his paintings. For more information about Pansy Day, visit the History Center website, needhamhistory.org/pansy-day/. The Pansy Day festival is free and open to the public. Also this year! – You are invited to tour the historic Zirngiebel/Wyeth house on South Street, which is being restored to its original 1776 appearance. The house is now the newly established NC Wyeth Library, a reading room holding a world-class collection of Wyeth’s illustrated works, ephemera, prints, and other scholarly resources for learning about the artist and his talented family. The Wyeth Library will be open next fall, but all are welcome to have a sneak preview and a guided tour on Pansy Day, April 9th, and on Sunday April 10th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Because the house is not yet open to the public, timed reservations are required for the tour. For information and tour appointments, please call Michael Niden at 781-801-2151 or [email protected].