If you missed the wonderful program by Vernon Chandler back on June 1 at the Medford Public Library, you’re in luck! Vern will be presenting his program again at the American Heritage Museum located in Hudson, Massachusetts with more information. This excellent venue is home to some of the best vintage memorabilia of the period. No doubt the program will be even more poignant among period artifacts. The program is December 8, 2023 at 2PM.
This month will be a busy meeting of the Medford Historical Commission. Please join us at 7PM via Zoom on Monday, October 16 to participate. We have a number of items on the agenda which can be found by clicking here.
56 Wareham Street Receive Demolition Application:
The Commission will receive an application for the demolition of 56 Wareham Street. The building is a 19th century structure and maintains a lot of its character. You can read the MHC Form B prepared by consultant John Clemson for more on the history and architecture. The Commission uses these inventory forms during its deliberations on if a structure is significant and preferably preserved.
67-69 Court Street House and Carriage House Determination of Significance:
The Commission will determine the significance of the house and carriage house located at 67-69 Court Street. The house dates to the mid-nineteenth century and is representative of those houses built for the working class residents. It has had a large addition placed to the rear and is now a two family structure. The carriage house remains. Its age is not known but it shows up on maps in the late nineteenth century. We will review the buildings for their historical and architectural history. If found significant, a public hearing would be required.
587 Winthrop StreetDetermination of Significance::
Slated to be altered beyond recognition, the residential building here will be reviewed for significance. This is one of the few 19th century buildings remaining in the northwest corner of Medford. Many in this area have recently been demolished for development. This structure is being gutted and the rear ell replaced with a large addition.
The Commission will review an application for the demolition of 64 Myrtle Street. The building was gutted with permission. The owner intends to rebuild the structure rather than work within the confines of old construction. The Commission is required to review the demolition the same as any other structure. We will determine if this structure warrants further review by determining if it is significant.
We would like to remind everyone that our program with PAL is coming up soon. Please see the flyer for more information.
The Commission will provide a series of updates before approving minutes. Once minutes are approved, we’ll be done for this month! Please feel free to check back for an update as to how the meeting went.
We have a minor review of 421 High Street. This property went through demolition review and the new development is moving forward. The Commission already provided comments during the delay placed on the building and the design has not changed significantly. It is expected the Commission will not have any additional comments.
Last month, we hired a consultant to prepare an inventory form for Walkling Court. The Medford Housing Authority is preparing to demolish the complex to build new structures with more density. The Commission has a chance to review both under the Section 106 and Environmental Permitting review processes. Our comments will be based on the MHC Form A that should be ready by Monday.
We will then conclude our meeting with normal updates. Please feel free to join us!
The Commission will be reviewing the significance of 23 Winter Street. This building has an MHC Inventory Form prepared by John Clemson. The form can be viewed here:
Various projects are wrapping up. If you missed our report, the first phase of work on Thomas Brooks Park is done. We’re in the process of preparing our application for Phase II, as well as for a small grant for a memorial. Tune in to learn more about the plans for the park that will make this historic site accessible and a fitting memorial to four hundred years of our heritage.
Almost done! The contractor for the field stone wall finished their work at the beginning of June. For the first time in perhaps a half-century, Thomas Brooks Park has a complete wall from end to end. There were some important discoveries which we wish to share with you! First, some photos of the work:
The wall at the southern end of the park is characteristically different than the stones beyond Pomp’s wall. These seem almost architectural and have been dressed square. They could be pieces of the Edward Brooks House. The mansion stood opposite the park until the early 20th century and was demolished to make way for the current neighborhood. The discovery of granite border blocks suggests these might be pieces of the former stone arched bridge over the Middlesex Canal. This structure was designed by George Rumford Baldwin, a son of Loammi Baldwin of Woburn. Father Baldwin designed the canal in 1790 and it cut through the Brooks Estates on its way from Somerville to Winchester. The bridge cost $1,000 and was made from Chelmsford Granite. It survived until the early 20th century and was once a planned focal piece for the residential development. That plan fell through and the structure was demolished. It was long believed that pieces made their way into adjacent foundations or were buried but the presence of a small arched capstone (now in the Brooks Park Wall) suggests these blocks are pieces of that bridge.
Pompeii’s Wall restoration is moving into its final phase. The cap flashing and stones are being installed to bring the project to a conclusion. The repairs are done in a manner that will allow the wall to be water tight and safe for the next century.
The contractor was kind enough to share with us that some of the bricks maintain the marks of their maker. We’re not sure if these are Pompeii’s hand prints but we can be sure the bricks are hand made and that a human crafted them for inclusion in the wall. Neat stuff!
Now for a word of warning. It has come to our attention that someone is dismantling the north end of the wall by Saltonstall Road. The contractor will return to repair this area of damage and he noted this is a deliberate act of destruction. The Commission was notified shortly after it happened (over the weekend) and we will monitor the site as this is destruction of a historic resource. This is the location of a desire path, and it is not a safe location for crossing Grove Street (no sight lines for pedestrians or autos). The wall blocks the end of the park for this reason and visitors should cross down at the entrance opposite Laird Road, a short distance to the south. We will be marking the new entrances and working with the City to make sure there are cross walks, curb cuts, and signage in the future to make crossing Grove Street easier.
Thank you to the Medford Community Preservation Commission for making this project happen. It helps move the Brooks Park Master Plan further along. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we look toward the next project.
We have a rather light meeting so we will be providing some updates on projects. The major one is work at Thomas Brooks Park is about 95% complete. The field stone wall has been entirely restored. Pomp’s wall is almost there and is missing a few stones to finish the top cap. That will be finished by next week. We will post finished photos when complete!
I moved to Medford in 2015 and quickly fell in love with the city’s historic neighborhoods, access to nature, and wonderful people. I’m an engaged community member who rolls her sleeves up to get involved in many aspects of Medford life. I’ve been working in archives and preservation since 2008, and am a strong advocate for libraries, archives, and preservation programs. I care deeply about Medford’s future, and while I advocate across myriad issues in the city, I wanted to join the Commission because this is an area of resource management that I have relevant professional experience in to make particularly informed recommendations. Joining the Commission has allowed me to bring my records management and library preservation knowledge to Medford, while getting to learn so much more about architectural preservation and our built environment. I think it’s useful to have a renter’s perspective on the Commission and I filled that role in my first year of service. I have since hopped barely over the line to our (ahem) sister (not rival?) city Malden with my husband Joel, and am honored to serve the Commission through the end of my term. No matter the season, you can usually find me birding at the Brooks Estate, the Fells, Mystic Lakes, or along the Mystic River paths.
The Medford Historical Commission is pleased to present:
Keeping the Memories Alive A presentation by Vernon Chandler
Location: Medford Public Library at 111 High Street
Date & Time: Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 7 PM
This event is free and open to the public. All welcome!
Join us for an evening full of history, near and far. Hamilton resident Vern Chandler will share his extraordinary journey in the footsteps of his relatives that participated in World War II. Among them is Private Kenneth E. Miller of Medford. He gave his life in defense of freedom and he never returned home. He is memorialized overseas and a local family has adopted the grave of this fallen American liberator. Mr. Chandler will share the details of this native son and his two-week tour across Europe to keep the memory of the Greatest Generation.
This presentation is sponsored by:
The Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library City of Medford Veterans Services Medford Historical Society and Museum
Medford Historical Commission 