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May 2009 The Commissions welcome new Alternate Commissioner Claire Dempsey. Claire is Associate Professor of American & New England Studies at Boston University. Ms. Dempsey has conducted preservation research within the compliance, identification, and evaluation areas for the Massachusetts Historical Commission and for a number of cities, towns, and research institutions; research for New England area museums and historic sites has complemented her preservation work. She is the author of Building Hardwick: Community Histories in Landscape and Architecture and contributor to Building Portsmouth: the Neighborhoods and Architecture of New Hampshire's Oldest City (1992) and The Early Architecture and Landscapes of the Narragansett Basin (2001). On May 28, 2009, at 7 PM, the Medford Historical Commission will host Introduction to Historic Preservation Planning in the Alden Chambers at Medford City Hall. This program is provided by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, through their On the Road Program. This module provides an overview of the basic steps of community-wide historic preservation planning including identifying, evaluating, and protecting historic resources. New local historical commission members will find the program especially useful, although all local historical commission members are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested in understanding the basic techniques for protecting historic resources at the community level is invited. January 2009 The semiannual Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference is scheduled for March 12-14, 2009, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Sponsored by the publishers of the Old-House Journal, this event provides "a unique opportunity for builders, architects, contractors, developers, preservationists, planners, and historic home-owners to gather together in a forum that encourages sharing of ideas and experiences." Conference offerings include a wide variety of workshops and seminars. Exhibit hall admission is free for those who pre-register online. December 2008 Congratulations to Ryan Hayward, unanimously elected Co-Chairman of the Medford Historical Commission and Medford Historic District Commission at this month's meeting. Ryan will share the leadership of the two commissions with Co-Chairman Nino Susi. September 2008 October is Archaeology Month, and the Massachusetts Historical Commission has prepared a calendar of related events across the Commonwealth. Included on this list is "Parallel Lives, Common Landscape," the ongoing archaeological exhibit on display at the Royall House & Slave Quarters, 15 George Street in Medford. This compelling exhibit of 18th-century artifacts unearthed on the property depicts the lives of the wealthy Royall family and the enslaved Africans who lived there 250+ years ago. "Parallel Lives" will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5pm through October 26th. Modest admission fees are charged for entrance to the exhibit and for guided tours of the property; entrance is free to Royall House Association members. Don't miss this fascinating glimpse into local colonial history. August 2008 Congratulations to Hank Turner and Ryan Hayward on their recent advancement to full Commissioner status! July 2008 What color should you paint your historic house? To help answer this question, California Paints collaborated with Historic New England to develop a "Guide to Colors, Styles, and Architectural Periods." Though this guide is accessible online, please remember that colors look different when viewed on a computer monitor. Pick up a printed copy of California Paints' Historic Colors chart at Modern Hardware in Haines/Stevens Square or Hillside Hardware on Boston Avenue in Medford. February 2008 The Medford Historical Commission has produced a Preliminary Study Report for the establishment of twelve new single-property historic districts. Copies of the full report can be viewed in the Office of Community Development at City Hall and in the Medford Public Library. Click here for photos and brief histories of the properties that have been proposed for historic district status. In addition, the Commission is researching several of the older areas of the city, taking an inventory of buildings for future study and educational outreach, and would value the assistance of residents of these neighborhoods who may be able to share their local history as they have researched or remember it. The neighborhoods selected for research are: - Bradlee-Hall Estates (Bradlee Road, Turrell Road, Hall Avenue, Woodland Avenue, King Avenue and Ashcroft Road, the west side of Forest Street, and the east side of Governor's Avenue) - Tufts Estates (Ashland Street, Water Street, Chestnut Street, Oakland Street, the east side of Forest Street, and the north side of Salem Street) - Prospect Park (Summit Road and Terrace Road) - Old Ship Street (Riverside Avenue, Park Street, Pleasant Street) - Washington Square (Washington Street, Park Street, Franklin Street, Vine Street, Hadley Place) January 2008 The latest issue of Preservation, the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is subtitled The Green Issue and is devoted to the convergence of preservation and sustainability. It includes a useful chart offering Ten Tips to a Greener Home, which begins with the assumption that the greenest house is the house that's already built. December 2007 The Medford Historic District Commission is in the beginning stages of researching a number of historic properties for designation as single-property Local Historic Districts. The selected properties are among the City's oldest, with one of the 12 dating from the late 1600s, and the remainder from the 1700s. Four of these properties are on the National Register of Historic Places, and all are deserving of the protections afforded by Local Historic District designation. The Commission plans to hold public meetings in the future as part of the designation process. Anyone interested in further information about these plans should email Commission Chairman Nino Susi or Alternate Commissioner Ryan Hayward via medfordhistoricalcommission@comcast.net. November 2007 Thanks to occupational therapist Patricia Peterson for suggesting a powerful alternative use for the many photographs of historic properties on this site. Patti contacted the MHC to ask if she might use the site's photos to create a slide show for one of her clients, a disabled elder who grew up in Medford. She writes, "Providing historic photos to seniors can have a tremendous effect on their everyday performance in all tasks of living. The comforts of home are far reaching ... how appropriate as Thanksgiving comes upon us." Little did we think, when we began this site a year and a half ago, that it would have therapeutic value! October 2007 On October 25th the House of Representatives passed a bill to create the "Freedom's Way" National Heritage Area, which will include Medford, Malden, Arlington, and forty other communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, to highlight the area's role in the American Revolution. National Heritage Areas have access to assistance and limited financial and technical support from the National Park Service. The goal of the designation is to help communities better preserve these areas and increase cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities. The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote. In collaboration with the Medford Historical Society and the Medford Public Library, in September the Medford Historical Commission cosponsored an "Old House Ownership Seminar" to help homeowners learn how to preserve the character and value of their houses, and how to trace a Medford house's history. Handouts at that event included Tracing the History of Your Medford House and The Colorful World of the Registry of Deeds. July 2007 Read Ryan Hayward's fascinating essay on "A Quiet Country Town: Early Medford History as Told by the 'Marm' Simonds District," a recent addition to the Historic Resources page. Use the historic district map to locate individual properties mentioned in the article, and click on house numbers to view their photographs. May 2007 Determination of Significance: 217 and 223 Park Street, Medford. In response to the Notice of Intent to Demolish filed on March 29, 2007, the Medford Historical Commission has determined that the buildings located at 217 and 223 Park Street, Medford, are significant as set forth in the criteria of Section 48-77 of the City Ordinances. In accordance with Regulations set forth in Section 48-78 (d) the Historical Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at 7:00pm in Room 201 Medford City Hall to determine if the demolition of the buildings will be detrimental to the historical, cultural, or architectural heritage or resources of the city. April 2007 The Medford Historical Commission will sponsor a free public program at Medford City Hall on Monday, April 23rd, from 6-8pm. Part of the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s “On the Road” series, this event will feature Christopher C. Skelly, Director of Local Government Programs for the Massachusetts Historical Commission, speaking on establishing local historic districts and other topics of interest to preservationists and owners of historic properties. Established through a local bylaw or ordinance, a local historic district is the optimal tool for preventing demolitions and inappropriate alterations to significant historic resources. This presentation will provide an overview of local historic districts, including a statewide perspective over the past fifty years, how a local historic district protects significant historic resources, and the basic steps required to establish a local historic district. Mr. Skelly will also be available for audience questions and general discussion of local historic preservation issues. Owners of historic properties, community members concerned with protecting historic resources, and those interested in understanding the basics of local historic preservation are encouraged to attend. Please contact Mr. Skelly at Christopher.Skelly@state.ma.us with any questions. Please call 781-393-2519 / TDD 781-393-2516 or email medfordhistoricalcommission@comcast.net to arrange for accommodations. March 2007 Save the date: On Monday, April 23rd, at 6pm, the Medford Historical Commission will host an "On the Road" session with Christopher Skelly, director of local government programs for the Massachusetts Historical Commission. This public event, to be held in the Alden Chambers at City Hall, will feature discussion of such topics as the role of historical commissions, local historic districts, commission goals and objectives, historic resource inventories, demolition delay bylaws, zoning, maintaining community character, and downtown revitalization. February 2007 Ryan Hayward joins the MHC as its newest Alternate Commissioner. A lifelong resident of Medford, and a graduate of the Medford Public School system, Ryan is currently enrolled at the Boston Architectural College, studying for a bachelor's degree in architecture. A regular volunteer with the Medford Historical Society since November 2001, Ryan has taken the lead in the current efforts to create a new historic district in Medford to celebrate the city's 19th century shipbuilding heritage. January 2007 Join the Medford Historical Commission's email list to learn about any changes and updates to this site. You will receive notification via email each time we post a meeting agenda, add a News item, or make other changes to the website. Send us an email at medfordhistoricalcommission@comcast.net, and we'll add your address to our emailing list. Owners of historic homes may be interested in attending the Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference, scheduled for March 7-10, 2007, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Sponsored by the publishers of the Old-House Journal, this semiannual event provides "a unique opportunity for builders, architects, contractors, developers, preservationists, planners, and historic home-owners to gather together in a forum that encourages sharing of ideas and experiences." Conference offerings include a wide variety of workshops and seminars, and this year will include two new residential tracks, one focusing on restoring older homes and the other on building new homes using traditional design. Exhibit hall admission is free for those who pre-register online. December 2006 The Massachusetts Historical Commission voted this month that the Middlesex Canal Historic District is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Properties. By law, this vote affords protection to the property from adverse effect caused by Federally funded, licensed, or assisted projects. If the National Register Office agrees with this determination, the property will automatically be included in the Massachusetts State Register of Historic Places, as well, and will receive parallel protection from state actions. Constructed between 1795 and 1803, and operational until 1853, the Middlesex Canal ran from present-day Lowell through the communities of Chelmsford, Billerica, Wilmington, Woburn, Winchester, and Medford to Charlestown. The segment of the canal between Lowell and Woburn has been on the National Register since 1972. The Middlesex Canal was 27 miles long, 30 feet wide, 3 feet deep, and eventually included 22 locks and 9 aqueducts. In 1967 the American Society of Civil Engineers designated the canal a National Historic Engineering Landmark because of the engineering innovations introduced in the course of its construction. Serving as a model for the later Erie Canal, the Middlesex was the first in the country to prove the practicality of canal transportation by lowering freight rates and expanding the traffic of marketable goods. Please visit the Middlesex Canal Association website for maps, illustrations, and a lot more information about this fascinating historic resource. May 2006 Welcome to the Medford Historical Commission’s first website! We hope you will find it interesting, informative, and attractive. This site is a work-in-progress, so please check back regularly to see what’s new on the site … and what’s OLD in Medford! We strongly encourage your suggestions for additions, improvements, etc. Please send pictures, links, comments, and/or questions to medfordhistoricalcommission@comcast.net. Credits The Commissioners offer sincere thanks to William Durney, our talented website designer. An 8th grader at the Madeleine Dugger Andrews Middle School, Will took on this project to fulfill the community service requirement of membership in his school’s National Junior Honor Society. Thanks to Ryan Hayward, knowledgeable Medford historian, for so generously sharing his photographs of Medford's historic properties for this site; to Hank Turner for his photographs of the Marm Simonds Historic District; to Nino Susi for his Hillside Avenue Historic District photographs; and to local architect Doug Shoop for his photograph of the sculpted city seal on the John J. McGlynn Sr. Middle School. Finally, we thank the Saugus Historical Commission for allowing us to borrow much of their clear language describing the work of municipal historical commissions, and to the Hemingway Preservation Foundation for inspiring our designer with their beautiful website.