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Neighbor News

Medfield History Weekend Engages Community in Town Heritage

Multiple open sites, tours, and other attractions provided memorable experiences for all ages; all Medfield historical groups involved.

HistoricMedfield, Neighbor
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Volunteers and town officials gathered at Medfield TV to kick off Medfield History Weekend festivities and preview the updated King Philip War presentation by Town Historian Richard DeSorgher.
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Members of Boy Scout Troop 89 were on hand for an archaeological dig at Dwight-Derby House.
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Town Historian Richard DeSorgher greeted visitors for one of his downtown history walking tour.
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On one his many tours, Keeper of the Town Clock David Maxson explained the inner workings of the timepiece located high above the old Meetinghouse (First Parish UU).
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Families enjoyed visiting the historic Peak House Heritage Center on both days.
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The Kingsbury Grist Mill team was ready and excited for the arrival of dozens of visitors.
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Former Lord's co-owner Tom Kelly spent the day at Medfield Historical Society to catch up with old friends and greet visitors who stopped in to see featured store artifacts.
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Hannah Adams paid a visit to Medfield Public Library to engage visitors in her literary works, and say hello to the library's Scavenger Hunt attendees passing through. (Thank you Theresa Knapp.)
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Dick Judge used an antique sword to cut the cake for the 200th birthday celebration for George Horatio Derby, former resident of the historic Dwight-Derby House.
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After a long hiatus, the Old Town Trolley, hosted by MEMO, returned to Medfield with narrated tours.
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The award-winning Medfield High School Jazz Combo greeted Lowell Mason House visitors. (Tom Reynolds)
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John Thompson, who oversees building and grounds on the former Medfield State Hospital site, provided a tour of the historic property along with insights on the treatment of mental illness since it first opened in the late 1800s.
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The Town Administration team made itself available on the front lawn of the historic Medfield Townhouse to provide information about May 1 Annual Town Meeting, one of the oldest forms of democracy.

Medfield History Weekend, April 28-30, 2023, offered a variety of events and activities designed to heighten awareness and appreciation of town heritage, and provide fun ways to engage in various activities.

Total attendance for the weekend was estimated to be more than 700 based on tickets sold and visitor counts at various sites. Overall feedback was very positive with many participants hoping a similar weekend would be held next year.

These historic preservation groups or town/local entities (with abundant volunteer support) hosted Medfield History Weekend events (lead representatives are noted if not already named on planning committee in next section):

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  • Dwight-Derby House
  • Friends of Kingsbury Grist Mill
  • Hannah Adams Woman's Club
  • Lowell Mason House (Tom Scotti, Tom Reynolds)
  • Medfield Historical Society
  • Medfield Public Library (Pam Gardner)
  • Medfield TV Peak House Heritage Center (Rob Gregg)

Planning committee members included:

  • Russ Hallisey, MEMO;
  • David Temple, Joe Opiela, Tom Connors and Jo Ellen Heck, Medfield Historical Society;
  • Dick Judge, Friends of Kingsbury Grist Mill;
  • Laurel Scotti, Dwight-Derby House;
  • Katie Duval, Medfield TV;
  • Theresa Knapp, Hannah Adams Woman's Club; and
  • Chris McCue Potts, Medfield Insider

In addition, Town Historian Richard DeSorgher contributed time to the weekend with a Medfield TV production of his King Philip War presentation, and by narrating downtown walking tours; David Maxson provided Meetinghouse Steeple/Town Clock tours; and John Thompson gave a tour of the former Medfield State Hospital campus with Bellforge participation from Jean Mineo. (With another tour scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Sunday, May 21 - register here.)

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Medfield businesses also got involved in the weekend by either sponsoring trolley tour banners (spearheaded by MEMO) or offering special attractions.

Trolley tour banner sponsors were:

  • Alison Brown, Realtor
  • Borchers Trust Law
  • Holistic Wellness Center
  • Hurley-Testa Construction
  • Lovell’s Florist & Nursery

Business activity participants were:

  • Avenue
  • Be Charmed
  • Butterfly Tree Boutique
  • Medfield House of Pizza
  • Nosh & Grog

Media sponsors were:

  • Hometown Weekly
  • Medfield Insider

Medfield History Weekend 2023 was supported in part by a grant from Medfield Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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