Dec 1, 2023 The Boyden Homestead at 120 High Street (Rt. 27), near Plain Street, heading towards Walpole, has a long and varied history. It has significant historical ties to both national and local events starting with the great migration to America, the King Philip War, the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War and […]
The Jonathan Boyden Jr. Homestead Read More »
Jun 2, 2023 In the MHS weapons collection there exists a musket cataloged as the “Mayflower Musket.” There is little to no documentation to substantiate this title, so the Society has enlisted several knowledgeable people over the years to supply their opinions. None has been able to definitively identify the piece, its age or its
The “Mayflower Musket”… or is it? Read More »
June 1, 2022 As I thought about the June issue of the Medfield Historical Society e-newsletter, dads immediately popped into my mind. Sure, it’s also the season for grads, weddings and the beginning of summer, but dads are so important—they mold their children into adults and each one does this in his own special way.
A Son’s Recollections: George Inness Read More »
Feb 1, 2022 Every February 14, across the United States and in many places around the world, loved ones exchange candy, flowers and gifts, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did our present-day traditions come from? The history of Valentine’s Day—and the story of its
The Origins of Valentine’s Day Read More »
April 1, 2021 Serendipity is a curious thing. While setting final plans to visit the Berkshires, I received an email telling me of “talk” on Facebook about one Israel Bissell, an American patriot who, like Paul Revere, was a post rider during the American Revolution, but performed a much more impressive, yet lesser known, ride
Discovering Medfield’s Connection to Hinsdale, Massachusetts Read More »
Jul 20, 2018 I have been involved with the Dwight-Derby House since its inception. No, not in the 1600s, but rather when the Town of Medfield bought the house in 1996. I knew of the grassroots efforts to save the house from the wrecking ball and was very excited about the possibility of the Town
Dwight-Derby Descendants Visit Medfield Read More »
Nov 25, 2015 This is the tale of a brave and adventurous family immigrating to America to establish roots in a new land. The Hamant family story grows as they unite with other families through marriage. We cannot converse with these people to acquire the intricacies of their family dynamics, but we can place the
The Francis Hamant House Legacy Read More »