Laborers, Civil War
House Marker Program
Laborers, Civil War
MHSM Civil War Photo Collection

You can now access all our Civil War photos on Digital Commonwealth.

Kids Sketching the Garden
Sketching in the Garden

From the MHSM photo collection. Kids sketching in the garden ca. 1912.

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Historic House Markers

Display your pride in Medford's History. Order a historical marking showing the date your house was built. Historic House Marker Program.

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Slave Trade Letters

This six-year correspondence between Timothy Fitch, a Medford resident, and a ship captain of Fitch named Peter Gwinn occurred between January, 1759 and October 1765. See the letters with transcriptions.

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Pitch, Tar and Tallow

In the nineteenth century, Medford's two main industries included rum-making and ship-building. Read more here.

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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.

February 17, 2025

UPCOMING:

Thursday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m.
“Defining Moments”
Speaker:
Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and Motivational Speaker translates his extraordinary life journeys and athletic achievements into life lessons that leave each audience wanting more.

Dave McGillivray’s desire to be an athlete led him to run across the country in 1978 at age 23, an 80-day trek across the US that led him to a life engaging with mental and physical strength. As race director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, directing prestigious races such as the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials, the 1990 ITU Triathlon World Championship, and the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, McGillivray addresses audiences with a motivational account that is not about running…but rather what’s possible if you believe in yourself and your own ability to do the seemingly insurmountable.
Sign up here.

See all our Spring 2025 programs here.


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


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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.