Town Takes Measured Approach to New Seal
March 28, 2025
• The Town Branding and Seal Committee met to discuss a preliminary seal redesign received from an outside illustrator, after they failed to reach a consensus on previous drafts.
Creating a town logo — Needham’s identity — proved an easier task than revising the existing town seal. Reviewing another drafted seal, members of the Town Branding and Seal Committee suggested a long list of additional edits at its Tuesday meeting.
After consulting with a California-based illustrator, committee members reviewed the latest version of the seal, which shows a distant Native American paddling a canoe on the Charles River by the bridge over Charles River Street, with High Rock in the background.
The current town seal depicts two settlers speaking with a Native American — William Nehoiden — and intends to showcase the transfer of property in 1680 that would become Needham. The portrayal is not deemed historically accurate for a number of reasons, and the underlying power dynamic shown is another point of contention.
“When you look at the content of the seal, it’s not only dated, but it’s also extremely inaccurate,” said Gloria Greis, executive director of the Needham History Center and Museum, in an earlier interview. Greis also sits on the committee.
Previous draft designs depicted a settler and Native American in discussion, without deed papers in hand, which members from the Natick Praying Indians did not fully support.
The redesign effort aims to correct inaccuracies and create a more up-to-date seal. The seal is used on official documentation, whereas the logo appears on trash cans, town signage, clothing and similar places. The committee formed in the fall of 2023.
During the Tuesday meeting, committee members suggested the canoe and its passenger move closer into view and increase in size. Other revisions included downsizing High Rock, creating a less linear and symmetrical riverbank and tree line, adding bramble and dimension to the scene and creating motion in the river. Town Clerk Louise Miller also advised the illustrator to add more lines, as the seal needs to be raised when it’s embossed.
Another problem arose: The person in the source photo, sent to the illustrator for inspiration, is a known person and a Wampanoag. For one, that person could sue the town, Select Board Chair Kevin Keane said, but his identity could also be an issue.
“I think, quite frankly, certain people at the Natick Praying Indians would see it as insulting to have a Wampanoag in the town seal for Needham, where they feel they represent,” Keane said at the meeting.
Amber Autumn Sun Orlando, a committee member and representative of the Massachusett Natick Praying Indians, was not present during the meeting.
At their January meeting, the committee reviewed AI-generated seals depicting a Native American on a canoe in the Charles River, courtesy of local graphic artist David Linde.
The previous drafts, depicting both a settler and Native American, were still considered offensive by members from the Natick Praying Indians. Orlando called the transaction shown “the ugly part” of the town’s history and suggested a “more peaceful” design, such as a natural landscape or a Native in a canoe.
Committee member Topher Cox proposed there be two people in canoes to represent both settlers and indigenous people. “I think that will be a question,” Miller responded.
The multiple meetings and proposed designs signal that committee members are trying to strike a delicate balance, hoping to fairly and accurately feature a scene, people included, that can stand the test of time and please various communities.
Other municipalities are also reexamining their town seals. In Newton, the city’s revised seal removed its people and instead just shows the City Hall. Keane criticized that seal, calling it “poorly done.” Newton residents are organizing a recall of the seal.
“When you look at some of the seals that feel kind of wonky, they’re trying to do a lot of things at once… More of the new ones that are coming out, they have a tree and a city hall and a bird,” Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick said.
Their consulted illustrator, Steven Noble, will refine his draft before the committee’s next meeting. Should the committee settle on a design, it will likely be up for a vote at the October Town Meeting.
While the seal design may not be completely historically accurate, member Cynthia Ganung said “it’s closer.”
