Joanne Davis was a longtime volunteer and valued member of the Wayland Museum & Historical Society. In 1996 she not only stepped into Jo Goeselt’s large shoes as Curator but kept vigilant watch over all furnishings, systems, cookie supplies, visitors– and woe to anyone who did not sign in, queries, children’s muddy shoes, and of course, organized the Wayland Center Holiday Open House. When Lois Davis became curator, Joanne excelled as Museum Manager – scheduling Spring and Fall House “cleaning parties”, always followed by her pouring tea and serving homemade nut bread. Initially, she sent out formal invitations to this “cleaning party”.
Delightfully old school, but no “shrinking violet”, Joanne maintained that things ought to be done correctly, and that people and artifacts should be treated with respect. She made herself “ever available” and assumed responsibility for getting tasks performed correctly. She searched files to ensure that labels for exhibits and information for newspaper publicity were not only always accurate, but also conveyed in fine style and penmanship. She had a positive attitude towards making the Historical Society a pleasant place to work, and welcomed everyone warmly, be they volunteers or visitors. A whole generation of adults fondly remembers her after school program—Long Ago Days. Finally, Joanne was determined to have the portraits at the Museum conserved so that we can enjoy them for years to come.
Joanne’s service to the Historical Society was far from her only community involvement. Beginning in the late 1950s, she served on the Town’s Finance Committee and had been President of the Wayland League of Women Voters. She was a “full Waylander” – not only living but working in town as an exceptional first grade teacher who mentored both children and their parents. Her connections from many years of teaching and as an active neighbor enabled her to lure many in her “web” into the former home of the Grout and Heard families as Wayland Historical Society members, volunteers and directors.
Wayland Town Crier – Jan. 4 to Jan. 16, 2020
Published in The Wayland Town Crier from Jan. 4 to Jan. 16, 2020
Joanne Davis and Jane Sciacca
Rick Conard, Jan Dunn, Joanne Davis and John Heckscher
I had no idea that Joanne had passed. She was a big help to me when I visited the Wayland Historical Society while researching my Drury Family that called Wayland their home. I will never forget it when she surprised by showing me the beautiful portrait of my 3rd Great Grandfather Aaron Kingsbury Drury and the beautiful bed that once belonged to my 3rd Great Grandmother Abigail (Kirkpatrick) Drury Gleason and the furniture that was donated by my 3rd Great Aunt Lizzie Nichols (Drury) Campbell. I will never forget Joanne and I already made a donation to the society.
RIP Joanne