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.
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!
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.
Happy New Year to all those who follow the activities of the Historical Commission. We have a lot to get through this particular meeting. Within this post, you will find all the materials needed to follow along with our reviews and determinations. You can find the agenda by clicking the link below.
140 Summer Street: The Commission will determine the significance of 140 Summer Street, a 19th-century dwelling with an unusual history. The house also has a carriage house or barn tucked in the rear of the lot. We had an MHC Form B prepared for this property and it is available by clicking the link below.
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 will be reviewing the building for significance based on the MHC inventory form prepared by John Clemson.
4 Grove Street: The Commission is reviewing this project for unauthorized demolition beyond the approved permit. The process will start by reviewing significance. The Commission will review based on preconstruction/demolition conditions as is always the case with unauthorized demolitions.
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 is documenting the structure with an MHC inventory form in advance of receiving the demolition application. The owners will file the plans at Monday’s meeting.
76 Court Street: The Commission is reviewing this project for demolition beyond the approved permit. The process will receive the demolition application while we await the preparation of an MHC inventory form. We will determine significance next month.
76 Court Street following unauthorized demolition. The Commission will receive an application for review.
Normal Updates:
As is usual practice, the Commission will have regular updates for our projects at the end of our meeting. These include completion discussion of the Cross Street Cemetery stone assessment, an excavation project, and various survey and planning projects.
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.
The Commission has a full agenda for the month of October. You can download the agenda by clicking the link below: October 2024 Agenda.
110 Brooks Street prior to the removal of exterior fabric. The building was flagged for review because of the extensive renovations planned.
110 Brooks Street Public Hearing The Historical Commission will hold a public hearing on the partial demolition of the significant building at 110 Brooks Street. The building has important associations with historic persons and builders, and is architecturally important in terms of period and style, both by itself and in the context of a group of buildings. The Commission will allow public comments on if the partial demolition of the building will be detrimental to the historic resources of the City of Medford. You can read the Commission’s determination of significance here:
Medford City Hall – Determination of Significance The City of Medford is considering various preservation-minded projects for City Hall. The Community Preservation Commission requested that the Historical Commission review the building and to determine significance.
Medford City Hall is a Works Progress Administration project. It was constructed following years of dispute over where to build the heart and soul of the municipal government. It was designed and constructed by noted architect and builder Michael A Dyer. The building is a classical revival style and retains much of its original integrity, both inside and out. The Commission will use the enclosed inventory form as part of its determination.
Information on this building and many others can be found in the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s MACRIS database. The Massachusetts Culutral Resource Information System contains all of the inventory forms prepared for properties across the Commonwealth. The public is welcome to use this amazing assemblage of information for research. You can access the database by visiting: https://mhc-macris.net/
Medford 400th Anniversary – Planning The Commission has been asked to brainstorm ideas for the Quadrennial in 2030. It is never too soon to start planning for the celebration of our 400th anniversary of our founding. Medford is among the oldest English settlements in North America. If there are things you would like to see the City celebrate, please do not hesitate to email us ideas!
Project Updates: We continue to work on a series of projects. We plan to announce our public meeting for Thomas Brooks Park. The CPC fully funded our application for phase II of construction, and we’re working on a design for interpretation of the site’s history. Be on the lookout for our flyer and event information on our social media. There is work happening at Cross Street Cemetery! The Commission has partnered with the Cemetery Trustees to fund an assessment of the monuments. Cross Street Cemetery was relocated for Interstate 93 in 1956. It is a part of Oak Grove Cemetery and is surrounded by a distinctive field stone wall. The stones within require various degrees of attention. We’re looking forward to seeing the final assessment this fall so we can apply for CPC funding with the Trustees next cycle. The Commission also is working to secure funding for the next Survey and Planning Cycle. We have determined that a revisit to the historic resources in West Medford is in order. The Hastings Heights neighborhood did not receive any attention during the prior survey project and we would like to document many of the pre-1900 resources found within this dense landscape of 19th and 20th century dwellings. The Commission will also be looking to hire a consultant to undertake work documenting Sagamore Vale. This dense collection of 19th century buildings is one of the first planned residential developments around Medford Square. The area was last documented in 1975 and the survey needs to be updated.
Winter at the Bishop Estate in Medford Square. Painting by George Loring Brown. This landscape became Sagamore Vale in the middle of the 19th century.
The Commission will finish our meeting with meeting minute approvals and any other project updates we have been working on.
As always, comments ahead of the meeting can be submitted by emailing the commission. Please see the Contact Us page for our email.
The September Meeting is looking to be a busy one with a number of determinations on the docket. As always, our meeting is conducted via Zoom. Please feel free to join us by clicking the link on the top of our homepage or on the agenda.
18 Cherry Street – Determination of Significance The Historical Commission will review the historical significance for this nineteenth century dwelling house together with the adjacent auto garages. The buildings are slated for total demolition to allow for townhouses. The Commission has a Form B prepared for the building which can be viewed by clicking the link below.
106 Alexander Street – Receive Demolition Application and Determine Significance The Commission will receive an application for this early twentieth century dwelling house. We already have a Form B for this building so we will move right into determining significance. The form is linked below.
110 Brooks Street – Receive Demolition Application and Determine Significance The Commission will review the gut-rehab project at 110 Brooks Street. Substantial changes are planned and the board will start with determining if the building is significant. The structure has some nice detail consistent with its period of construction. The building also has a known builder.
Salem Street Burying Ground Flag Pole The Commission has received a request to support the construction of a new flagpole at SSBG for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. We have requested the City hire an archaeologist to review any excavation that is made given the age of the grounds. The Commission supports efforts to celebrate our history and welcomes this new monument to the Massachusetts and New Hampshire citizen soldiers that gave their life for the creation of our country and preservation of our liberties.
Fall Programs We will have a few quick updates for fall programs and collaborations that are in the works. We will also discuss continuing education events that bolster our preservation knowledge. We try to attend these whenever it will benefit the City of Medford.
Normal Updates From here, we have our regular monthly updates of ongoing work. We were able to secure MHC inventory forms for two properties under threat of demolition. Four new applications for building permits are being reviewed and there’s a possibility we will have forms prepared preemptively.
Minutes As always, we will wrap the meeting up with minutes from the last three meetings.
If there’s anything preservation related that’s on your mind and you would like to share with us, please do not hesitate to reach out via email. We are always happy to hear from residents.
Today is a wonderful mid-spring day and the perfect time to update the community on our meeting on May 13, 2024. Our agenda has been posted to our website. Be sure to download it and review all the items the Commission plans to review. You can find the agenda by clicking here!
27 Almont Street Public Hearing The Historical Commission will hold a Public Hearing to determine if the demolition of the well-preserved pre-1855 building at 27 Almont Street is detrimental to the historic resources of the City of Medford.
The Commission views this type of building as a rare and diminishing resource in our built landscape. We encourage residents to voice their opinions on if the preservation of this building is important to the community. You can learn more about the building by reading the MHC inventory form, and the determination of significance letter included below:
The Commission will determine the significance of the following buildings:
18 Wedgemere Road
9 Trout Avenue
As a reminder, our definition of significance is as follows:
As set forth in Section 48-78, a significant building is any structure, or a portion thereof, which is not within a local historic district subject to regulation under the provisions of MGLA c. 40C, but which:
Has been listed in or is the subject of a pending application for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; or
Has been listed in the Massachusetts Register of Historic Places; or
Was built within 75 years or older and which is determined by the commission to be a significant building as provided by subsection 48-78(d) either because:
a. It is importantly associated with one or more historic persons or events, or with the broad architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the city or the commonwealth; or
b. It is historically or architecturally important in terms of period, style, method of building construction, or association with an important architect or builder, either by itself or in the context of a group of buildings.
The Commission has inventory forms for each of the buildings and will utilize that information to make the determination. The forms are included below.
New Demolition Applications Following the public hearing, the Commission will receive demolition applications for the properties located at:
85 Morton Avenue
The Commission will have an MHC inventory form prepared for this building to learn more about it’s history and prepare to determine significance next month.
The Commission will also receive the application for partial demolition of the building located at 38 Pearl Street. This historic pre-1855 building has an MHC inventory form. It is also part of an area documented on an MHC form A. Both are included below.
The Commission will also receive the application for the fire-damaged building at 3-5 Pleasant Street. This building is a National Register property and as a result, it is automatically significant. The Commission will move right to a public hearing held next month to determine if the building is preferably preserved.
Site Plan Reviews
The Commission has two site plan reviews on the agenda. One is for 400 Mystic Avenue, and the other 280 Mystic Avenue. Details of the projects will be conveyed at the meeting and the Commission will review the projects and provide feedback as requested.
Ongoing Business
The meeting will conclude with an array of updates on existing projects that are moving forward. Be sure to listen in on all the great stuff that’s happening.
As always, we encourage residents to submit comments in advance of the meeting. The Commission receives these items and does read through them. They are entered into the record as well. Looking forward to seeing you there!
A celebration at Medford City Hall in the mid-20th century.
Medford Historical Commission 