Medford Historical Society & Museum

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.

October 18, 2026

We are open 1-4 PM on Sundays or by appointment. Contact us here.
Our current exhibit “1776 and Beyond” can be viewed during open hours on Sundays 1-4 PM. See more below.
See notes from the MHSM Historical Book Group Bound for Gold on 10/15 Here.
We are sad to announce the passing of our board member, Will Tenney,
on 9/7/26. We have Will to thank for his talk on House Histories and Fascinating Finds that assisted many people to learn how to do their own research in this video lecture here. Download the accompanying handout in PDF format here.
We are also sad to announce that one of our longtime volunteers, Beth Hayes, passed away on 10/5/26. Beth assisted with many exhibitions especially to do with textiles. She was a co-curator of our Lydia Maria Child exhibit in 2018.
MHSM has become a member of NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum Association). Become an MHSM Member here!
Check out Somerville Museum’s Interactive Map for the 250th celebration of the American Revolution. MHSM helped with the Medford sites.
Have you seen our ongoing searchable Medford Street Names Project. If you have information or documents pertaining to Medford Street names, let us know via our contact page.
Learn about our Historical Marker Program here.
Use our Books and Resources page for your reference questions. You can also see all back issues of our newsletters can be found here.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.

UPCOMING:

Click here for full information and registration info our Fall Programs.

OCTOBER

John Hancock’s Middlesex Canal and Medford

Speaker: J. Jeremiah Breen, President, Middlesex Canal Association

Saturday, October 31, 1:00 PM
Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library

Breen will speak on the significance of the canal as part of an interstate water highway essential to the Industrial Revolution in Massachusetts.

The Corporation was chartered in 1793 to build a 27-mile canal between the Charles River at Boston and the Merrimack River at what became Lowell. It was built 30′ wide, 3½’ deep minimum, had 8 aqueducts, 20 locks, and 50 bridges. The Secretary of the Treasury described it as the greatest work of its kind in the United States in an 1808 report to the Senate. The Corporation was liquidated in 1853 after the one-horse canal boat lost the competition with the railroad. The first locomotive of the Boston & Lowell was rated 30 horsepower. Register here.

Exhibit Open:

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

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.