September brought a full agenda to the Medford Historical Commission. At our meeting on Monday, September 14th the Commission made determinations of significance on seven properties, discussed the future of the American Legion building on Winthrop Street, and heard updates on zoning, Medford High School, and the conservation work at Cross Street Cemetery. Three properties will proceed to vote on Preferably Preserved hearings on October 5th.
September 14, 2026 Meeting Agenda
Demolition Review Applications:
15 Maple Park Avenue “The Hegner Center”: The Preferably Preserved hearing scheduled for this meeting was tabled until October 5 because the petitioners did display their required yard sign in time for the meeting. We will publish materials in advance of their hearing.
Determinations of Significance Summary: Last month the Commission accepted demolition review applications for seven properties, some for total demolition and some for partial. This month we determined whether they warranted a vote of significance.
As a reminder a building is considered ‘significant’ if it is associated with historic people or events, or with the broad architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the city or Commonwealth. It can also be significant for its period, style, method of construction, or association with an important architect or builder, either on its own or as part of a group of buildings.
| Address | Outcome | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 67 Mystic Avenue | Passed on review (built after 1950) | 6–0 |
| 71 Mystic Avenue | Significant | 5–1 |
| 73 Mystic Avenue | Passed on review (built after 1950) | 6–0 |
| 81 Mystic Avenue | Passed on review (built after 1950) | 6–0 |
| 78 Circuit Road | Not significant | 2–4 |
| 146 Spring Street | Not significant | 1–5 |
| 73 Surrey Street | Significant | 6–0 |
67, 71, 73 & 81 Mystic Avenue: Four properties along Mystic Avenue are part of a proposed self-storage development along Mystic Avenue. Three of them, number 67, 73, and 81 Mystic Avenue, do not meet the ordinance’s age requirement, so the Commission passed on review. 71 Mystic Avenue was found significant and will be on the agenda for October 5th’s agenda. Commissioners noted it stands as the last residential dwelling remaining along this streetscape, apart from 41 Mystic Avenue, which was relocated there. The lots also have an association with the Middlesex Canal, and they sit within a National Register district. The discussion focused less on saving the house than on documenting it, and on asking for archaeological monitoring during construction. City staff noted that because the project is over 10,000 square feet, it would also need site plan review by the Community Development Board and likely a Zoning Board filing. The Commission agreed to pass its recommendations for archeological monitoring along to those boards.
78 Circuit Road: Although at first glance it appears as a modest 1920’s house, this home has a notable history as part of George McCormick’s Forest Park developments. McCormick was among Medford’s most prolific land developers, and he marketed lots to working-class families under the philosophy “if you’re on this earth, own a piece of it.” The house retains its original wood windows and possibly the shutters, and front door, which was noted to be unusual in the neighborhood. A majority of commissioners felt it did not rise to individual significance. The motion failed, and the owners were told they would receive a release letter.
146 Spring Street: This circa 1886 built house is one of a group built by the same builder along Spring Street, the last stage of East Medford’s street-by-street Victorian development that were built outward emanating from Medford Square. The application proposed a rear addition replacing earlier additions, plus new windows, while keeping the original roofline. An earlier version with dormers had triggered review, however, Commissioners cited the currently proposed plans did not alter the exterior of the home significantly, and the motion for significance failed. Commissioners noted that a return to the dormer design would trigger review again.
MHC Form B – 146 Spring Street
73 Surrey Street: This early twentieth-century house was built by John and Frank Walker, developers who worked on a scale similar to McCormick. The home, and a few of it’s neighbor’s homes, are defined by distinctive half-round arches on the front porches, and this house survives as a single-family home where many of its neighbors were built as two-families. Commissioners found the proposed renovation thoughtful, however, they had questions about scope of construction and whether the distinctive features of the home, like the arches on the porch, will be retained. The Commission found the house significant and will vote for Preferably Preserved status in next month’s meeting.
Potential Future Projects
321 Winthrop Street “American Legion Building”: The Commission discussed a potential future project at this property. The owners were exploring veterans housing on the site and had discussed demolishing the existing buildings. The house dates to the 1880s, and the hall was added in roughly between 1940s – 60s. The Commission agreed to order an updated MHC inventory form to replace the one originally from the 1970s. Commissioners hoped to steer the project toward reuse of the existing buildings, possibly with Community Preservation Act planning funds noting the architectural details of the building. Commissioners planned to invite the owners to share their plans at a future meeting, potentially as part of the October 19th meeting.
Ongoing Project Updates
Zoning Update: The Boston Avenue zoning drafted in late June has been finalized and submitted to the City Council, which was scheduled to take it up on September 15. With the current planning consultant’s contract ending, the City planned to issue an RFP for a consultant to cover roughly the next two and a half years.
Medford High School – Section 106 Review: Consultants completed exterior photography of the Medford High School complex on the day of the meeting. They planned to prepare an MHC area form that documents the complex building by building.
Cross Street Cemetery: Conservation work funded through the Community Preservation Act was moving quickly. The contractor was about three-quarters of the way through restoring 85 gravestones. While resetting stones that had been damaged by a fallen tree about ten years ago, the crew discovered 10 headstones buried in the ground, and a change order was added to restore them. Remaining funds were set aside for recreating a missing veteran’s stone. The restored gate was nearly finished, awaiting welding, painting, and reinstallation, and the wall repairs were almost complete. A consultant was scheduled to carry out ground-penetrating radar (GPR) within this month at Cross Street and at the downtown site in Medford Square, and had offered to scan the entire cemetery. The results were expected to show where people are actually buried to determine whether any other accidentally buried headstones remain.
The Commission set its next meeting for Monday, October 5, a week early because the second Monday fell on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. That meeting was set to include three Preferably Preserved hearings: 15 Maple Park Avenue “Hegner Center”, 71 Mystic Avenue, and 73 Surrey Street. Because of the calendar, a second October meeting will be held on October 19th.
Preservation efforts in Medford is an ongoing process of research, review, and collaboration with property owners, city staff, and the broader community. We encourage residents to stay involved by attending meetings with us, staying up to date with our project updates , or sharing what they know about historic properties in their neighborhoods with us.
