The Medford Historical Commission would like to thank all persons who provided feedback on the multi-year master plan for Thomas Brooks Park. The consultant has completed work and we are releasing the final document for visitors to view. We will be undertaking portions of this work over the next several years. We look forward to working with residents over the next several years as we highlight this important Medford historical resource.
New & Events
Meeting Dates for 2020
We’ve set our 2020 Meeting Dates – the Commission will continue to meet on the second Monday of every month (except October, when we meet on the third Monday) at 7 PM in Room 201 of City Hall.
January 13
February 10
March 9
April 13
May 11
June 8
July 13
August 10
September 14
October 19*
November 9
December 14
Historic District Commission Needs 2 Members
As it happens, Medford’s Historic District Commission is currently operating two members short. If you’re interested in working to preserve Medford’s historic neighborhoods – including the recently discussed Forest St – please be in touch and we can answer any questions about their role, and ours. To apply send a resume and letter of interest to info@medfordhdc.org.
Change of Venue!
Because of considerable public interest in Medford’s Forest Street, our Monday, Aug 12th meeting will now be in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 7 PM. This meeting will determine whether or not the house at 109 Forest Street is preferably preserved and subject to a delay in demolition.
The full Public Hearing Notice is as follows:
Notice of Public Hearing
Monday, August 12, 2019
On Intent to Demolish a Significant Building
As Determined by the Medford Historical CommissionNotice is hereby given to the Public that a Notice of Intent to Demolish a Building has been submitted to the Medford Historical Commission for the dwelling house located at 109 Forest Street. The Commission has determined that the building meets the criteria of a significant building as defined in Section 48-77 of the Medford City Ordinances. In accordance with Section 48-78, the Commission is holding a public hearing on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 7:00pm in the Howard F. Alden Memorial Auditorium at Medford City Hall to determine if the demolition of the building at 109 Forest Street would be detrimental to the historical, cultural, or architectural heritage or resources of the City of Medford. For information regarding this hearing, please visit http://www.medfordhistoricalcommission.org. Comments may be submitted prior to the meeting in writing to HistoricalCommission@Medford-MA.gov.
Change of Venue!
The Monday Aug 20th “demo delay” meeting – for buildings on Cotting St, Main St and Damon Rd – will now be in the Community Room at the South Medford Fire Station, at Main and Medford Sts. 7 PM-9 PM
Medford’s Community Read 2018
Medford’s community read this year – Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks – is “inspired by a true story” from colonial New England history. Medford Public Library is hosting a discussion of the novel, and its “history, themes, relationships and impact” on Wednesday, Aug 15 at 7 PM. The discussion will be lead by Library Director Barbara Kerr, more info here.
The novel is “set in Massachusetts in the 1660s” and “tells the tale of Bethia Mayfield, a restless and curious young woman growing up amid a small band of English Puritans. At age twelve, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond that draws each into the alien world of the other…”
There’s still lots of 2018 left, so even if you haven’t read the novel yet, you can stop by and learn more.
Hyper-local Histories at the MPL
This summer, our local historian, Dee Morris will offer a walking tour to introduce you to Medford’s famous Hallowell family; brothers Norwood and Edward Hallowell were Civil War officers and their families enjoyed the good life, 19th century style, on lower Mystic Street. The first of these walking tours is Saturday, June 16, at 10 AM. More info here.
And, if you’d like to learn how to research your own family history, the Medford Public Library is hosting a weekly series of workshops, starting this Thursday, June 7, at 7 PM. More details via the library’s Events page, or on this flyer.
People’s History/Local History
Interested in walking tours, apps and new media, oral history, public art, community organizing or supporting public history in its many forms and guises? Join like-minded folks at the Mass History Conference; this year, the focus will be on People’s History/Local History. Hosted by the Massachusetts History Alliance, in Worchester, June 4.
What is Design Review anyway?
Many nearby communities use design review to help their neighborhoods benefit from new development (and Medford’s getting plenty of that). If you want to learn more about how to embrace change AND enhance neighborhood character, you are invited to Historic New England’s next workshop. The June workshop, part of a series of “Preservation Strategies that Work,” will focus on Design Review Concepts, Cases and Issues. At the Barnstable Town Hall, June 1.
Your Medford Historical Commission plans to send a member, and if you’d like to join us, drop us a line and tell us why!! Guest will be selected at random.
More details here, but you have to scroll through.
Fells & Mystic Surveys
Ah, signs of spring! Crocuses! Bird song! User surveys about our favorite natural and historical landscapes! In the first, the Friends of the Fells partnered with the Tufts Environmental Studies Program to learn more about how we use the Middlesex Fells today – Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation Survey.
In the second, another collaboration with Tufts, the Mystic River Watershed Association wants to know not just how we enjoy the nearby Mystic Greenways, but also how we get there. There’s even an interactive map where we can add the trafficky trouble spots in the area – Mystic River Greenways Survey
Image of the Mystic River c. 1790 via the Library of Congress.
