The mission of MHSM is to collect, preserve, and promote an inclusive understanding of Medford’s history, offering educational lectures and programs to the general public. Join us in building a shared sense of Medford’s history and rich diversity.
November 21, 2025
- We are open 1:00-4:00 PM on Sundays, or by appoint., click here to contact us.
- Learn more about the new MHSM History Book Club beginning in January 2026 here.
- Our exhibit, “The Ongoing American Revolution” is on display throughout the fall, co-sponsored by Freedom’s Way.
- MHSM recently became a member of NARM, North American Reciprocal Museum Association, stay tuned for more information. Become an MHSM Member here!
- Check out Somerville Museum’s Interactive Map for the 250th celebration of the American Revolution. MHSM volunteers helped with the Medford sites.
- Take a look at our ongoing searchable Medford Street Names Project. If you have info or documents pertaining to Medford Street names, let us know via our contact page.
- Our Medford Municipal Records Collection is now digitized and continues to be updated by our awesome volunteer Will Tenney.
- Learn about our Historical Marker Program here.
- Check out our Books and Resources page. Many reference questions can be answered by our ever-growing digitized resources. All back issues of our newsletters can be found here.
- Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.
UPCOMING:
Join us on Sundays 1-4 PM throughout the fall to see our exhibit, “The Ongoing American Revolution” co-sponsored by Freedom’s Way.
See all our Fall 2025 programs here.
Holiday Party, Presentation & Toy Drive for MHSM Members
Holiday Traditions in Boston
Speaker: Anthony Sammarco, Historian & Author
Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: 10 Governors Avenue
In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony banned by law the celebration of Christmas as it was deemed to be a time of seasonal excess with no Biblical authority. Though repealed in 1681, it would not be until 1856 that Christmas Day became a state holiday in Massachusetts.
In his book on Christmas Traditions in Boston, Anthony Sammarco outlines the celebration (or lack thereof) of Christmas in the first two centuries after the city was settled in 1630. By the mid-19th century a German immigrant named Charles Follen introduced the Christmas tree to Boston, and shortly thereafter Louis Prang introduced his colorful Christmas cards, the first in Boston. Learn more about new and emerging Christmas traditions over the years.
Thanks to the Medford Arts Council for its continued support
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Medford Arts Council, a local commission that is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the City of Medford.
The Power of Truth: Early Diversity in a Medford Neighborhood, February 2024
Murder at the Harvard Medical School, April 2023
Black Heritage Trail Virtual Tour, February 2022
Our Medford,” written by Medford teacher Michael Coates is for kids and anyone interested in an illustrated introduction to Medford History.
The book began to be used in the Medford grade 3 classrooms in fall 2016.
Click here to view the book online. Printed copies are available for $20 at MHSM. All proceeds benefit MHSM’s educational programs.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Medford Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.