Waban, Massachusetts

Waban is one of the 13 villages of Newton, Massachusetts.

Origin of name

Waban was named for Waban, the first Massachusett Indian converted to Christianity, in 1646. Although Waban lived in Nonantum, a hill in the northeasternmost part of Newton, the area around the present village of Waban was a favored hunting ground.

Education

Waban has two elementary schools, Angier and Zervas (formerly Beethoven).

The village is one of the few in Newton to retain its branch library.

Poor Farm

An area near where the shopping area of Waban now stands was originally the site of a working farm for the indigent.

Notable residents

* Ralph Waldo Emerson (and maybe Henry David Thoreau) [http://www.wabanimprovement.org/waban%20early%20days/emerson.htm]
* Joe Jarrell, M. Roland Heintzelman Award-winning playwright, author of "Empathy Is In"
* Richard F. Jarrell, co-founder of Jarrell-Ash Company (later Thermo Jarrell Ash) [http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/2000/May/abs573_2.html]
* Tom Jarrell, essayist, "Boston Avatar" contributor, author of "Confessions of a Two-Time Draft Card Burner" (included in "Civil Disobedience: Theory and Practice", edited by Hugo Adam Bedau)
* Roger Kellaway, Grammy winning Pianist, Composer, created works for orchestra, chamber ensemble, and jazz big band, as well as for film, TV, ballet and stage productions
* Jack Lemmon was born in an elevator at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Waban
* Fritz Richmond, folk musician, played jug and washtub bass in the Jim Kweskin Jug Band
* Mark Sandman, rock and roll musician, singer, and songwriter, member of the groups Treat Her Right and Morphine
* Paul Wiggin (not the football player), tenor, founder of M.U.S.E. (MUsic in Service to the Elderly), a non-profit that sends professional singers to perform in nursing homes and other shut-in venues (since its inception in 1973 M.U.S.E. has produced over 30,000 concerts)
* Jason Varitek (and family), catcher, Boston Red Sox, 2004 and 2007 World Series Champions.

ee also

* List of Registered Historic Places in Newton, Massachusetts
* Waban
* Waban (MBTA station)

External links

* [http://www.wabanimprovement.org/ Waban Improvement Society]