March Meeting Materials

March has arrived “in like a lion,” and this year the weather seems determined to prove the old saying true. It’s shaping up to be another active month for the Medford Historical Commission as we prepare for our meeting on Monday, March 9. This month’s agenda reflects the wide range of preservation work underway across Medford, Massachusetts: from new demolition review applications and ongoing delay cases to updates on archaeological investigations, Community Preservation Act projects, and citywide historic resource surveys. As always, the Commission will review several properties that may have historical significance while continuing its long-term work documenting, preserving, and better understanding Medford’s historic places.

Demolition Review Applications:
Our meeting will begin with receiving several new applications as part of the City’s demolition review process. These initial hearings allow the Commission to determine whether a building meets the criteria for historical significance under the City’s demolition delay ordinance.

226 Main Street:
The Commission will receive an application for the demolition of a twentieth-century residential dwelling.This building is part of the Brooks Park Area and is mentioned briefly in the MHC Form A. We will determine historical significance, the first step in determining whether further review may be warranted.

10 Whittemore Avenue:
We have received an application for the partial demolition of a twentieth-century residential resource that will be altered beyond recognition. The Commission hired a consultant to prepare an MHC Form B for the property. We will likewise determine significance for this property.

1-3 Vassar Street and 12-14 Wellesley Street:
Applications have been filed for the partial demolition of 1-3 Vassar Street and 12-14 Wellesley Street. Both propose significant changes to the roof plane and are applicable for demolition review. We will accept their applications and have MHC Form B prepared for each property.

Medford continues to see development pressure in many neighborhoods. These reviews play an important role in ensuring that historically important structures are thoughtfully considered before demolition proceeds.

Medford High School – Section 106 Review
The Commission has been asked to determine the historical significance of the Medford High School Complex at 489 Winthrop Street in West Medford. The City of Medford is investigating whether a new school should be constructed on the site or the existing building be renovated or selectively replaced. The Commission is afforded review under the Section 106 consultation process.

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires state or federal agencies to consider the effects of state or federally funded or permitted projects on historic resources. This review provides an opportunity for the Commission to comment on potential impacts and help ensure that historic preservation concerns are part of the broader planning process. The Commission has requested information for the creation of an MHC Form B so we may determine significance in the future.

Project Updates:

The Commission will continue with a full range of project updates. We have many important things to share and we’ll offer highlights here.

Commission Membership:
We’re still looking for members to fill vacancies. Maintaining a full board is important to support the growing volume of preservation work across the city. If you’re interested in joining, please reach out to us.

Properties Under Demolition Delay:
The Commission will check in with updates on properties currently under demolition delay, including 41 Mystic Avenue and 36 Mystic Street. These delay periods provide time for property owners, preservation advocates, and the community to explore alternatives that may allow historically significant buildings to be preserved or incorporated into redevelopment plans.

Annual Report:
Commissioners will review a draft of the Commission’s upcoming annual report, which summarizes the organization’s work over the past year. The report highlights preservation efforts, ongoing initiatives, and the many projects reviewed by the Commission.

Brooks Estate Archaeological Survey:
We have awarded the archaeological survey work to SWCA Environmental Consultants. This investigation will help deepen our understanding of the landscape’s long history and many layers of activity that shaped this important place.

Community Preservation Act Projects:
The Commission will receive updates on several preservation initiatives funded through the Community Preservation Act, including ongoing work at Thomas Brooks Park and conservation efforts at Cross Street Cemetery. These projects represent important investments in the preservation of Medford’s historic landscapes and burial grounds. Be sure to look for more information about these projects on their dedicated pages accessible from our home page.

Hastings Heights Historic Resource Survey:
Finally, the Commission will hear updates on ongoing historic resource work in the Hastings Heights development in West Medford. These surveys document historic buildings and landscapes throughout the city and form the foundation for informed preservation planning.

As this lengthy post demonstrates, preservation in Medford is an ongoing process that involves careful research, review, and collaboration with property owners, city staff, and the broader community. The Commission encourages residents to stay engaged with this work—whether by attending meetings, following project updates, or sharing information about historic properties in their neighborhoods. We look forward to continuing these conversations and reporting on the progress of these efforts in the months ahead.

Volunteers Needed: Artifact Cleaning and Cataloging Day

A Brush With History: Thomas Brooks Park Artifact Cleaning & Cataloging Day

Location: Medford Public Library at 111 High Street
Date & Time: Monday, March 30, 2026, from 9AM – 5PM

Registration is Required: Email—HistoricalCommission@medford-ma.gov

Join the Medford Historical Commission and SWCA archaeologists  for a hands on day experiencing the history uncovered at Thomas Brooks Park.

We’re looking for 8-10 volunteers to roll up their sleeves and help gently clean, sort, and catalogue artifacts. No experience necessary, just curiosity and an interest in Medford’s past. All volunteers will work alongside professional archaeologists.

This is a great opportunity to connect with one of our historic landscapes and to learn first hand how the Historical Commission preserves our community’s past.

Volunteers will get to see fragments of a bowl featuring the “King’s Rose” decoration, as seen in this complete example from the collection of Old Sturbridge Village.

February Meeting Materials

Winter constantly reminds us that it still has plenty of authority in New England. The recent snowfall blanketed streets, roofs, and vehicles across Medford, giving the city a look that residents of earlier centuries would have recognized immediately. Heavy snows have long shaped life in Massachusetts. Colonial records describe winters when roads vanished and travel halted for days at a time. Most famously, the Great Snow of 1717 brought repeat storms in March, resulting in snow drifts that reached second story windows in houses. While this week’s snow has been far less dramatic, it serves as a reminder that winter weather has always been part of the region’s story and it could stick with us as late as April (remember that April Fools Storm?).

We will hold our next public meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Our agenda has been posted, and the meeting materials follow. We are meeting remotely via Zoom. Members of the public are welcome to attend, observe, and participate where appropriate.

Public Hearing – 36 Mystic Street:

Our evening will commence with a public hearing for 36 Mystic Street. The Commission will consider whether the building should be designated as preferably preserved.

The hearing will begin with a brief explanation of the demolition review process and the role of the Historical Commission in determining significance and preservation status. Commissioners will review the building’s previously established historical significance and discuss how it fits within the city’s demolition delay ordinance.

Following the presentation, the Commission will open the floor for comments. Commissioners will speak first, followed by members of the public who wish to provide input. Written comments may also be submitted before or during the hearing.

After the discussion concludes, the Commission will revisit its motion and vote on whether the building should be considered preferably preserved. The hearing will then conclude with a summary of the next steps.

Determination of Significance:
The Commission will continue its regular public meeting agenda. We will review two properties for a determination of significance.

17 Sharon Street:
The house at 17 Sharon Street in Medford, known historically as the Gooch Tenant House, was built between about 1872 and 1889 by local builder Joseph L. Gooch as part of the subdivision of the former Smith Estate in West Medford. The modest story-and-a-half end-house reflects late-19th-century residential development tied to the growth of railroad suburbs. Although later alterations such as vinyl siding and window changes have obscured some architectural details, the building retains its original form and setting within a dense historic neighborhood. Historically it functioned largely as a rental property, housing working-class tenants connected to local trades and industries.

85 Marshall Street:
The Edward W. and Ella L. Amory Wall House at 85 Marshall Street in Medford was built between 1886 and 1889 as a modest Italianate-style end house typical of late-19th-century suburban development. It was constructed for blacksmith Edward W. Wall, a Canadian immigrant, who lived there with his family and owned the property until 1947. Wall also developed additional nearby houses on the same parcel, helping shape the surrounding residential streetscape. The property sits on land historically connected to holdings of the Adams family, including John Quincy Adams, linking the site to earlier patterns of land ownership in the Hillside neighborhood.

Old Business and Project Updates:
The remainder of the meeting will include updates on several ongoing initiatives and preservation efforts across the city, including:
– Properties currently under demolition delay.
– Progress on our Annual Report.
– Update on the Brooks Estate Archaeological Survey.
-CPC Projects
– Work at Cross Street Cemetery
– Ongoing Historic Survey Work in Hastings Heights

Point of Rocks in West Medford. Constructed in 1859, the house once stood in the Brooks Estate. It has since been demolished.

Residents are always encouraged to attend our meetings or submit comments for the record. Community participation is an important part of the demolition review process and helps ensure that Medford’s historic resources are fully considered.

January Meeting Materials

The Medford Historical Commission will host its first meeting of the New Year on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 7:00PM. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom to provide the most flexible form of participation. Our agenda is online and is summarized with meeting materials below.

Demolition Review Applications:
Our meeting will begin with a determination of significance, followed by receiving two demolition applications.

36 Mystic Street:
An application for the partial demolition of 36 Mystic Street has been received. The Commission will review the information submitted and determine if the building meets the criteria for significance.

17 Sharon Street:
The Commission will receive a demolition application for 17 Sharon Street. Materials associated with the application will be reviewed and the property will be discussed as part of the Commission’s demolition review process. The determination of significance shall be next month.

85 Marshall Street:
The Commission will receive a demolition application for 85 Marshall Street. Materials associated with the application will be reviewed, and the property will be discussed as part of the Commission’s demolition review process. The determination of significance shall be next month.

Old Business:
The Commission will then have a series of updates summarized under our old business categories. We are really active already in the New Year and are looking forward to moving many of our longstanding projects toward fruition. We hope to see you soon and wish you all the best in 2026.

October Hearing Materials

Good morning! The Historical Commission will be at Thomas Brooks Park this morning working with the team from SWCA consultants on a second archaeological dig. Tonight, we have a hearing and will determine significance on two buildings.

41 Mystic Avenue – Public Hearing
The Commission will take comments on if the demolition of 41 Mystic Avenue is detrimental to the historical or cultural assets of the City of Medford. The building is an 18th century structure moved in the late 19th century for Governor’s Avenue. The building is importantly associated with the Hall Family of Medford. Benjamin Hall was a noted rum distiller whose ships were actively involved in the Atlantic Triangle Trade. Beyond this, Hall’s brother-in-law was Timothy Fitch, a slave trader. The building also has some interesting history regarding its current location on Mystic Ave, the former Medford Turnpike. You can read all about that in the enclosed MHC Form B and extension form.

58 Myrtle Street – Determination of Significance
The Commission will determine if 58 Myrtle Street is significant. The building is a mid-19th-century structure that was likely part of the development laid out by Horatio Williams. The neighborhood consists of uniform gable-end houses that closely abut the street. The area was once known as Williamsburg for its connection to Williams, but the name has given way to Glenwood, which was the name of the nearby depot on Spring Street at the corner of Myrtle.

231 Park Street – Determination of Significance
The Commission will last take an application for the demolition of 231 Park Street. This mid-19th-century building is similar to Myrtle in many ways. It was documented during the East Medford Survey Project and is one of 3000 or so pre-1900 homes remaining city-wide.

As always, comments are welcome by emailing the Historical Commission ahead of tonight’s meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!

October Meeting Materials

Salutations and greetings on this fine fall day! The Medford Historical Commission has an early meeting on October 6, 2025. The agenda is included below so you can follow along. Meeting materials that the Commission will review are available further down in this post.

10 Irving Street – Public Hearing
The Commission will hold a public hearing to determine if the demolition of 10 Irving Street would be detrimental to the historic resources of the City of Medford. We do so by determining if the building is preferably preserved. This structure is Italianate in nature. Its large form suggests it is an earlier building that was moved to the site. The Commission will review the information in the Form B and hear public comments to determine if the building is preferably preserved.

41 Mystic Avenue – Determination of Significance
An application for demolition has been received for 41 Mystic Avenue. We will review the building for significance. The Benjamin and Hepzibah Jones Hall House was surveyed as part of the Medford Square South Project. This building is one of twelve surviving eighteenth-century buildings remaining in the City.

121 Second Street – Determination of Significance
An application for demolition has been received for 121 Second Street. The Commission will review the information in the MHC Form B and determine significance. This is an early 20th century resource with some surviving original details. The building is slated for total demolition to be replaced by a duplex.

Upcoming Demolition Reviews:
Although they did not make it to the agenda in time, there are two applications that will be received by the Commission. The first is 6 Hobbs Road, which proposes major renovations to a 20th-century residence in West Medford. The other is 58 Myrtle Street, which is being remodeled extensively to the point where the original structure will no longer be distinguishable.

Old Business:

The Commission will continue its meeting with the various monthly updates on projects underway.

Vacancies: We are still looking for new members. Please reach out to us if you are interested in serving on our board.
Historic District Commission Updates: Nothing at this time.
Properties Under Delay: No update at this time.
Form Bs: We received the Form B back from consultant John Clemson for the Kappy’s Building. We always try to share this information so that it is useful during planning discussions.

Thomas Brooks Park
We’re pleased to announce we’re looking for volunteers for a second dig planned this fall. See our announcement for more information. With that underway, we can turn our attention to bidding the tree work. We secured a large amount of money to prune many of the historic trees in the park. We are looking to partner with the Planning Department, Parks, and DPW to collaborate efforts to make the green canopy safe. Work will happen in the winter when the vegetation is gone so any deadwood can be seen and removed. This is a pruning exercise and removal of the dead trees. We are hoping to replant a handful of the native trees in the spring. Once that major task is bid, we will return to looking at the sidewalks and crosswalks with the DPW and Engineering.

Hastings Heights Survey:
The Survey and Planning Project has gone out to bid. Procurement will release the documents on Monday, and responses are due in early November. If the City can turn around a contract quickly, work can begin in mid-November and extend through September of next year.

We will end our meeting with the approval of meeting minutes. As always, if you have questions, comments or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email us!

Volunteers Wanted for Archaeological Dig 2.0

The Medford Historical Commission is looking for adventurous volunteers to help with the archaeological dig planned at Thomas Brooks Park!

Thomas Brooks Park is a landscape of deep cultural significance. It weaves together Medford’s local history, the legacy of slavery in New England, and the presence of Native American heritage—all preserved within this historic site. The current archaeological excavation is being conducted as part of due diligence in preparation for planned preservation and protection efforts. Please note that all unauthorized digging, metal detecting, or artifact collecting is strictly prohibited.

Unearth hidden stories from Medford’s past as you roll up your sleeves, dig into history, and help uncover artifacts that haven’t seen daylight in centuries. No experience is required – just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a readiness for discovery.  Here are some of the early details:

🗓 When: The end of October or early November. We will post the specific days as we get closer.
Schedule: Volunteers will come for one full day, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (includes a 30-minute lunch break). We can have up to 6 volunteers per day.
📋 Orientation: All volunteers must attend a 1-hour orientation on a date in advance of the dig.

Volunteers must be 18 or older to participate. If you can’t make it to the dig itself, we’ll post about lab work (cleaning and cataloging what is recovered).

☀️ Rain or shine, the dig goes on!

No need to bring equipment — just wear sturdy, closed-toed boots or shoes with ankle support. (Sorry, no flip-flops!) You may bring your own gardening gloves and knee pads if you’d like. Be sure to pack your own lunch and water for the day.

Ready to make history?
📧 Email the Medford Historical Commission at historicalcommission@medford-ma.gov with your name, availability, and best contact method to be added to the list.

July Meeting Materials

Salutations and greetings! We have been somewhat delinquent in posting our meeting materials. With a jam packed agenda coming up this month, we wanted to make sure we posted materials. We encourage you to read along and participate in the various hearings. Be sure to stick around to the end as we have project updates that you won’t want to miss.

Important Note: Our Zoom link is changing so be sure to look for the update on the agenda, City’s site, and our website.

47 Holton Street – Preferably Preserved Hearing:
The Commission will review the proposed total demolition of 47 Holton Street in West Medford. This building is a contributing building to the Smith Estate subdivision. This area is an integrated neighborhood that was settled by African American families at the end of the nineteenth century. The buildings are Victorian in style. This particular building was erected by Lewis Lovering, a well-known builder during this time. The public is encouraged to provide comments that look at the building’s integrity.

47 Holton Street as seen in a recent real estate image from Zillow.

16 Manning Street – Preferably Preserved Hearing:
The Commission will continue with a hearing to review the total demolition of 16 Manning Street near Main Street and Medford Square. The neighborhood on the south side of the Mystic River developed prior to 1855 as a shipbuilders’ enclave. Many fashionable Greek Revival homes were constructed along South Street and various perpendicular side streets. As Medford grew into a streetcar suburb, additional homes were built between these early buildings. Among the first wave of subsequent development was 16 Manning Street. It is one of the oldest houses on the street. We will hear comments from the public on if the building should be preferably preserved. You can find the MHC form A for the street, and form B for the building.

26 Alfred Street – Determination of Significance
The Commission has received an application for the demolition of a fire-damaged dwelling located at 26 Alfred Street. The building has not been ordered down and is required to go through the demolition delay review process. Located on Winter Hill, the neighborhood sloping down from Somerville was developed in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. This building is among the first to be constructed on modest-sized lots geared toward commuter-class residents. The MHC inventory form provides a much more detailed look into the area.

Upcoming Demolitions:
The Commission has requested information on the potential demolitions for properties at 46 Pinkert Street and 173 Arlington Street. Both projects are making significant changes to the buildings and we have requested paperwork be submitted for demolition review. Check back in the following months for submissions.

Oak Grove Access Road and Stormwater Condition Assessment:
Our board is partnering with the Cemetery Trustees to assist them in planning for various projects that will restore the landscape. Among the many tasks at hand include work on the roadways in the Rock Pasture section. This is the oldest part of the cemetery, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. It was laid out by Alexander Wadsworth, the same landscape architect who designed Mount Auburn Cemetery. The consultant handling the roadway project asked for our cooperation in helping the Trustees understand any historical restrictions. The Cemetery is an important landscape, and the Commission views its preservation as important to the City. We will work to provide comments to them so they can be incorporated into their plans.

State Historic Preservation Law Changes:
We would like to call your attention to House Bill 993 – An Act to Accelerate Housing Production. It is being debated to become law. You can read the bill in its entirety here:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S993
Although its title and goal is commendable, the Commission is deeply concerned about how it is being accomplished. This bill seeks to limit the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s comment power and strip review power from local historic district commissions when projects add more housing. Local historic districts are one of the strongest forms of protection for historic resources. There is already an override process for housing creation. Specifically, MGL 40B provides for overrides in projects that provide true affordable housing. The Commission will discuss the bill tonight and its potential impact to the demolition delay process. We encourage the public to become acquainted with the bill and voice their opinion.

Vacant Seats:
The Commission still has open seats. You can read all about how to apply to become a member by clicking here!

Cross Street Pilot Project:
If you have not been to see Cross Street Cemetery lately, you’re in for a real treat! The Commission and Trustees hired Fannin-Lehner to conserve fifteen stones. These are the monuments for those who are veterans of the American Revolution and the Civil War. They have been cleaned and repaired. Work is almost complete. Check out the progress image below!

We will be applying to fund the repair and cleaning of the rest of the cemetery through the CPC. We look forward to moving the project to fruition. The grounds have long been overlooked and it will be great to put everything back in order for the benefit of generations. Those who lay at rest here have much to tell us about our own community. We look forward to sharing their history in the near future.

Survey Projects:
Work in Sagamore Vale has wrapped up! We are pleased that our consultant will be submitting forms to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for acceptance to their MACRIS database. Work will be going out to bid on Hastings Heights soon. The State Historical Commission finally received their federal funding and let us know projects can start edging toward start. This important nineteenth-century neighborhood was originally skipped during the first phase of work in West Medford. We look forward to returning to the area and adding a number of resources to the inventory of historic assets.

We will wrap up our meeting with various other updates and end with meeting minutes. As always, if you have questions, feel free to reach out!

Commission Seeks New Members

The Medford Historical Commission seeks individuals within the Medford community to serve on our board. The all-volunteer appointed body is a champion for preserving and protecting the City’s historic character and heritage. Its members are residents with a diverse range of expertise and skills. We are seeking multiple new members to fill vacancies.

Our board was established in 1974 under Section 8d of Chapter 40 of the Massachusetts General Laws and Chapter 48 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Medford. The Commission is charged with identifying historic assets and is the principal advisor to the City on matters relating to historic preservation. The body additionally reviews requests for demolition of buildings 75 years or older, or listed on the National or Massachusetts Register of Historic Places, as defined by our demolition delay ordinance.

Commission members are expected to attend a monthly meeting. There is occasional follow-up work to support various preservation-focused projects. Prospective candidates are encouraged to attend our meeting to understand what we do.

Applicants should have an interest, knowledge, and experience in any field related to historic preservation, law, archaeology, architectural history, and/or Medford history. Please provide a one-page introductory letter and resume. Selected individuals will be contacted for an interview. The Commission shall present a list of nominees to the mayor for final selection. Those chosen are appointed for up to three-year terms.

Please submit letters & materials to:

Ryan D. Hayward

Commission Vice-Chair

Email:

HistoricalCommission@Medford-MA.gov

February Meeting Materials

Greetings! The Medford Historical Commission is pleased to release its packed agenda for the February meeting. This month will be a full list of accepting applications, determining significance and having public hearings to determine preferably preserved status. In addition, we have updates on several projects and look forward to moving things along in the evening window we allocate every month. Please click below for the agenda so you can follow along.

140 Summer Street: The Commission has determined that the building and carriage house located at 140 Summer Street are historically significant. A public hearing will be held to determine if the buildings qualify for preferably preserved status. The main house maintains a fair degree of integrity and original features with select updates in places you would expect such as kitchens and bathrooms. The carriage house has been converted to living space.

Front View of Wilson Street. Note the house is labeled 39 but the tax record uses parcel number 31.
31 Wilson Street: This twentieth-century dwelling is located in the center of a large lot in Fulton Heights. The owners have applied for demolition with the intent of building a new house. The building maintains a fair amount of its historic fabric. We have determined significance and will hold a public hearing to determine if the structure retains enough integrity for preferably preserved status.

4 Grove Street: The Commission is reviewing this project for unauthorized demolition beyond the approved permit. The Commission determined the building is significant and we will hold a public hearing to determine if the integrity of the building prior to demolition is enough to warrant a delay because it was previously preferably preserved. Our letter of determination spells out why the building was found significant.

26 Rockwell Avenue: Tucked away at the end of Rockwell Avenue is an unusual cinder block dwelling. These buildings are rare in the built landscape and the Commission has documented the building in advance of tonight’s meeting. The MHC Form prepared by John Clemson is included below. The Commission will determine significance of the building.

76 Court Street: The Commission is reviewing this project for demolition beyond the approved permit. We have received the demolition application and had an MHC inventory form prepared for the building. We will determine the significance. The form prepared by John Clemson is below.

76 Court Street following unauthorized demolition. The Commission will receive an application for review.

115/117 Emerald Street: This item is tabled awaiting subcommittee review of revised plans.

19 Curtis Street: We will receive an application for major alterations to this nineteenth-century property that will alter its appearance significantly. We will have an MHC Form B prepared in time for next month’s meeting.

122/124 Woodruff Avenue: The Commission will receive an application for major alterations to the roof line of this twentieth-century two-family resource. No form currently exists so we will have one prepared for a significance hearing next month.

53 Winford Way: Located on the Winchester line, the Commission will review the demolition of this c. 1950 Cape Cod house. The building is located in the far reaches of Medford but is reviewable even though the house exists partially in the other community. We will prepare an MHC Form B in time for a signifiance hearing next month if the Commission reviews the structure.

Section 106 Reviews: The Commission received requests to comment on two projects located at 121 Riverside Avenue and 50 Harvard Avenue. The Commission has previously reviewed these and is likely to have no additional comment on the diminutive changes proposed.

Cross Street Cemetery Monument Restoration: The Historical Commission and Cemetery Trustees are seeking to collaborate on a small project over the summer to restore 10 veterans’ graves at Cross Street Cemetery. There will need to be a small allocation of funding to match grants that are actively being sought and likely to be awarded.

Normal Updates:

As is usual practice, the Commission will have regular updates for our projects at the end of our meeting. These include survey of Sagamore Vale and the status of our survey and planning grant for this year.

As always, we welcome comments ahead of review. If you have a chance to provide comments, please feel free to email them to us and we will enter them into the record with the applications for review.

Hope to see you there!