By Julia Beauregard
Hometown Weekly Editor
The bustling streets of Medfield were filled with families venturing from place-to-place this past weekend as locals set out to enjoy the annual Medfield Historical Weekend.
The weekend kicked off on Friday, April 25 with a children’s scavenger hunt at the Medfield Public Library. This was a recurring event throughout the weekend, as others took place on Saturday and Sunday as well. There was an official History Weekend kick off event on Friday night as the Dwight-Derby House. Locals gathered at 6:30pm for a free and informal gathering where attendees were able to hear live fiddle music performed by Any Costello, a long-time Medfield resident, learn about the early Celtic experience in Medfield, and view the East Parlor exhibit featuring the recreation of Mary Derby's bonnet shop.
The historical sites were open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday; these sites included the Dwight-Derby House, Kingsbury Grist Mill, Peak House Heritage Center, Town Clock and Steeple, and Medfield Historical Society Museum. On Saturday, the Medfield Historical Society Museum housed a Hannah Adams exhibit, one of Medfield's most famous residents. The exhibit included copies of her books, documents from the women’s club (which still exists today) dating back to the 1800s, and a copy of her portrait painted by Chester Harding.
Saturday also featured a walking tour of Vine Lake Cemetery led by Town Historian and author Richard DeSorgher. DeSorgher took attendees on a narrated 90-minute tour of the new section of Vine Lake Cemetery. The tour covered the earliest burials at Medfield State Hospital and notable gravesites. The tour took guests to visit the Little Round Top section dedicated to Civil War soldiers, and explore the enigmatic 'Catholic Section.' The town historian shared fascinating stories about the remarkable Medfield residents buried in this historic cemetery.
On Sunday, history lovers were welcomed to visit the Lowell Mason House at 59 Green Street. Mason, a former Medfield resident, was renowned as the 'father of music education,' as well as a composer and music director. Saved from demolition in 2011 and relocated to its current site, the home has been preserved as a cultural center dedicated to music education, advocacy, and performance.
Walking tours of the Medfield State Hospital were led by John Thompson, past chairman of buildings and grounds for the former Medfield State Hospital, on Sunday. Visitors were led on a two-hour tour where Thompson shared the history of the campus, the role that MSH played in the treatment of mental illness as well as the redevelopments of the site as it now houses the Bellforge Arts Center.
The weekend concluded with the fan-favorite narrated Old Town Trolley tour, which was made possible in part by MEMO. During the tour around town, riders learn about all of the notable historical sites in Medfield, as well as lesser known places of historical relevance; all of which have fascinating stories to tell.
It was a weekend full of fascinating stories and beautiful sites to uncover. For more information about the Medfield Historical Society, check out their website: https://medfieldhistoricalsociety.org
