Jan 19, 2020 With 20-20 hindsight, these plans from the 1960s seem bizarre… “Urban Renewal” for Medfield? In 1964, when Medfield’s population was around 5,000, a new master plan was developed to prepare for future growth. At that time, urban renewal* in blighted areas was controversial but still considered practical and viable by American city […]
Revisiting Medfield’s 1960s Master Plans Read More »
Oct 28, 2019 In the season of Veterans Day, in addition to Ray Lambert, it’s appropriate to pay respect to Medfield men who went to war and paid the ultimate price. There are 12 such men killed in the 20th century who are honored with white on blue plaques in the neighborhoods where they lived.
Remembering Medfield’s Veterans Read More »
Sep 27, 2019 A direct descendant of Medfield founder Ralph Wheelock – and an activist in all things Wheelock – Ted Wheelock of Pittsburg, California, stopped in at the historical society booth at Medfield Day, September 14. Ted made a generous donation to the society and to the Vine Lake Preservation Trust. About the Wheelocks
Ted Wheelock, Medfield Day Visitor Read More »
Sep 1, 2019 Barbara Leighton of Robert Sproul Road died on July 11, 2019 in Medfield, where she had spent almost her entire 100-year life. She was the daughter of Newell and Myra (Spofford) Leighton and the sister of the late Harry Leighton. Barbara attended Medfield Public Schools; she graduated with the Medfield High School
An Appreciation of Barbara Leighton, Medfield’s Unofficial Historian Read More »
May 2, 2019 The historical society recently received an Allen family treasure from Ellis Allen, now of Mashpee, an arborist who served as Medfield’s tree warden for 34 years and retired some 20 years ago. His succeeded his grandfather, who was tree warden for 42 years. (James Allen was one of Medfield’s first settlers, and
What Did You During the War, Charlie? Read More »
May 1, 2019 The rhododendrons may be blooming in your yard this week, but to savor the wild ones tucked away in the woods near the Catholic church you’ll have to be patient a little longer. The Rosebay variety found in the Trustees of Reservations’ Medfield Rhododendrons property typically bloom in late June to early
Trustees of Reservations: Celebrating and Protecting Medfield’s Special Places Read More »
Mar 27, 2019 How the Vietnam War Changed America We are now nearly 50 years beyond the end of the Vietnam War and continue to celebrate the lives of young soldiers who gave their lives and to those who returned to Medfield. This story calls attention to those brave patriots who served honorably in the
Midcentury Medfield Memories: Faraway Places with Strange-Sounding Names Read More »
Jan 26, 2019 What could be more beautiful than a sunrise? A majestic favorite tree, perhaps, reaching skyward? To some, the branches reaching upward seem like tendrils, delicate and intricate extensions of the plant stretching upward to the universe. A few trees have been mythologized as being earthly treasures. One of these treasures grows at
A Celebrity Tree for All Seasons Read More »
Oct 3, 2018 Our town of Medfield in early 1951 celebrated a special time when many people started shopping for their first black and white televisions, just becoming popular in American homes. A family could all sit together after supper and watch the news or the popular shows at that time: singer Kate Smith’s show,
Our Town – Medfield, A Story of Everyday Life in Small-Town America Read More »
Oct 3, 2018 (Editor’s note: The text and photos were the historical society’s lead exhibit at Medfield Day. There have been many books written with titles like Lost New York, Lost Chicago, Lost San Francisco; this is the first article entitled Lost Medfield.) Akkompoin, later known as the Manor Inn, was the home of Edwin