Prior Events

Tufts House

This page lists events that have already taken place. It is here as a record for people who want to refer to events that we have sponsored in the past.

Information about upcoming events is available on our Events Page.

A Portrait So True: Civil War Photography

A Lecture by David L. Smith

Wednesday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Medford Public Library, 111 High St. (Rt. 60 in Medford Square)

David L. Smith has been a member of the Civil War Round Table of Boston for more than twenty years, and is currently serving as its president. Smith has presented lectures at historical societies, genealogical societies, libraries, and community organization all over Massachusetts and in several southern states.

There will be an Historical Society meeting at 7:00 and the lecture will begin at 7:30.

History Sale at the Medford Historical Society

Saturday, December 8, 10am - 2pm. Sunday, December 9, 12noon - 4pm.

Looking for gifts for Medford history lovers? You'll find a wide variety of choices at the Medford Historical Society's Holiday History sale on December 8 and 9.

On sale will be the most recent Medford publication Glimpses of Medford (History Press, 2007). Also available will be copies of Medford Then and Now, Medford in the Victorian Era, Medford on the Mystic, Old Ships and Shipbuilding Days, The Incredible Ditch, Crusader for Freedm: The Life of Lydia Maria Child, and Your House in the Streetcar Suburb.

There will also be hundreds of copies of the Medford Historical Register on sale. The Register contains a wealth of information for the Medford history buff and copies are only available at the MHS.

Also for sale will be limited edition Royall House Christmas Ornaments, and some other surprises. On December 8 the sale will run from 10-2, and on Sunday December 9 from 12-4. Order forms for historic house markers will also be available at the sale.

The Society is located at 10 Governor's Ave. Directions are on our Visitor's Guide Page. For more information please call (781) 391-8739 or use our online form to contact us.

Saturday, September 8, 2007 from 10 a.m. to Noon

Old House Ownership Seminar

Learn how to Preserve the Character and Protect the Value of Your House

Trace the History of Your Medford Home

The Medford Historical Society proudly announces the first ever Old House Ownership Seminar for local residents to be held on Saturday, September 8 from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Slave Quarters of the Isaac Royall House located at 15 George Street in Medford. (Directions.)

Participants are encouraged to bring photos of their house for individual counsel on structure maintenance and historic restoration.

Friday, June 8, 2007 at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.; Saturday June, 9 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m

Medford History Book Sale and Glimpses of Medford Book Signing

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

Medford Public Library located at 111 High Street in Medford

Annual meeting invitation and documents are available on our Annual Meeting Page.

After the election of MHS officers for 2007-2008 and the business portion of the meeting, our keynote speaker will be Richard A. Duffy, Historian and Author of Images of Arlington and Twentieth Century Reflections, who will speak about Medford in the Gas Light Era.

Corporate history is the backdrop for this entertaining illustrated lecture of everyday life in Medford and Arlington during the 19th century and early 20th century. The Malden & Melrose Gas Light Company embarked on a colorful promotion of an array of forgotten gas lamp fixtures and appliances that will delight history buffs. Rarely seen images of Medford during the Gas Light Era will be featured.

Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

The Clipper Ship Era and The Decline of Medford Shipbuilding. Kurt Hasselbalch, Curator, MIT Maritime Museum.

Medford was known for building exceptionally seaworthy ships during the mid to late-1800s - the era of the Clipper Ship. Kurt Hasselbalch will discuss many aspects of this fascinating maritime industry.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

The History of the Peter Tufts House. Joseph Cornish, Senior Stewardship Manager, Historic New England (SPNEA).

The Peter Tufts house, formerly known as the Cradock House, is one of the oldest brick structures in North America. Its unusual "garrison-like" architecture is thought to have been adopted due to the threat of attacks by Native Americans in the 17th century. In the 1880s, the house was saved from demolition by General Samuel Lawrence who purchased it as a wedding gift for his niece. It was subsequently owned and preserved by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) for fifty years until 1980 when the City of Medford, the Tufts family, and Medford citizens banded together under the leadership of Dr. Joseph Valeriani, former President of the Medford Historical Society, to purchase the historic structure for future generations. The Tufts House is now designated a National Historic Landmark.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

7:00 p.m. At the Medford Public Library at 111 High St. in Medford Square.
From Medford to World Fame: Fred Stark Pearson, Entrepreneur-Engineer (1861-1915).
A Lecture by Gil Cooke.
Co-sponsored with the Medford Public Library.
More information.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

6:30 PM at 400 High Street, The Congregational Church of West Medford -- The Annual Meeting and Election of Officers.

Sunday. May 21, 2006

2:30 PM at 10 Governors Avenue, Opening reception for the exhibit The West Medford Afro-American Remembrance Project. Refreshments will be served. Please feel free to bring a guest, help celebrate our success!

Sunday. April 2, 2006

2:30 PM at 10 Governors Avenue, The Truth About Mothers Day and Julia Ward Howe. By Jane Smith Bernhardt. A performace you will not want to miss!! More information.

Sunday, March 5. 2006

2:30 PM at 10 Governors Avenue, Medford Then and Now. Patricia Saunders will present a slide lecture on the changes that have taken place in Medford over time.

Sunday, February 12,2006

2:30 PM at 10 Governors Avenue, The West Medford Afro-American Remembrance Project a History Preserved, by Rosalind Shaw and Mark Auslander.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

12:00 PM-Noon at the West Medford Baptist Church located at the corner of Harvard and Boston Avenue, A walking tour of West Medford. A video presentation by Mark Auslander, special guests include Dorothy Elizabeth Tucker and lone Vargus.

As An all-volunteer organization, the Medford Historical Society relies on the support of its members!

Visit Our Museum Shop

Medford on the Mystic

Historical books and gifts are available from our Museum Shop.