The second edition of my book about George F. Willett and Norwood, Mass., is now available: https://rockstreetpress.square.site
What happens when one man dares to reinvent an entire town?
Beginning in 1908, millionaire industrialist George F. Willett proposed to transform Norwood, Massachusetts, into “the biggest, busiest, and best suburban municipality in New England.” Utilizing his personal fortune and driven by reformist zeal, his bold vision promised to change the small town forever. Discover how the grand experiment unfolds, the forces that brought it down, and the surprising ways Willett’s legacy continues to shape Norwood today.
“Cole’s book is an important contribution to the history of Norwood. Featuring both soaring success and tragic failure, it is a cautionary tale, well-told.”
– Patricia J. Fanning, historian and author of Keeping the Past: Norwood at 150
Heather S. Cole 