This summer's Medford walking tour by historian Dee Morris is "Mystic Street: A Legacy of Family Ties and Independent Outlooks," exploring West Medford's Lower Mystic Street. In the late 1860s, several lots on this road leading from High Street to the Mystic River were purchased by Civil War heroes. Norwood P. Hallowell and his brother, Edward, served as commanding officers of the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment of black soldiers. Their households were called “The Colony” because of the lively interactions…

Character re-enactor Jessa S. Piaia will present a living history portrayal of Rachel Revere, in this history program set in 1805. Paul Revere married Rachel Walker within five months of the passing of his first wife. Rachel took on the care of the children, and with Paul had six more of their own. Rachel Revere was known as a woman of “forthright hospitality and remarkable good humour.” The audience will meet Mrs. Revere on an afternoon in 1805, as she share episodes of the Reveres’…

The 2018 selection for the Medford Public Library's Community Read is "Caleb’s Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks. This historical novel, set in Massachusetts in the 1660’s, tells the tale of Bethia Mayfield, a restless and curious young woman growing up amid a small band of English Puritans. At age 12, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond that draws each into the alien world of the other. In this Community Read presentation, speaker Darius Coombs of Plimoth Plantation will talk about the…

Join the Medford Public Library's director, Barbara Kerr, in a discussion of this year's Community Read book, "Caleb’s Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks. This historical novel, set in Massachusetts in the 1660’s, tells the tale of Bethia Mayfield, a restless and curious young woman growing up amid a small band of English Puritans. At age 12, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond that draws each into the alien world of the other. Kerr will lead a discussion about the history, themes, relationships…

This summer's Medford walking tour by historian Dee Morris is "Mystic Street: A Legacy of Family Ties and Independent Outlooks," exploring West Medford's Lower Mystic Street. In the late 1860s, several lots on this road leading from High Street to the Mystic River were purchased by Civil War heroes. Norwood P. Hallowell and his brother, Edward, served as commanding officers of the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment of black soldiers. Their households were called “The Colony” because of the lively interactions…

As part of its exhibit "Lydia Maria Child: Author & Abolitionist," the Medford Historical Society & Museum presents the walking tour "Lydia Maria Child's Medford." The tour, led by MHSM Programs Committee member Nancy White, covers Medford during the period of Lydia Maria’s birth (1802), the people who were influential in her education, religious and social development, and the institutions that were present in Medford Square during the early nineteenth century. Meet at the new Riverside Avenue Plaza at the corner…

Susanna Rowson (1762-1824), an early American best-selling author, ran a girls school in Medford in 1799. Steven Epley, a professor of English at Samford University, is the author of "Susanna Rowson: Sentimental Prophet of Early American Literature," published in 2016. Thanks to a grant from Mass Humanities, the MHSM is hosting Epley as a Scholar In Residence from September 5-25. At this event, he will lead a roundtable discussion on researching Medford in the 18th century. Epley also will speak…

The Medford Historical Society and Museum presents "Susanna Rowson in Medford: Novels, Schools and Scandals in 1799," a talk by professor Steven Epley of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Susanna Rowson (1762-1824), an early American best-selling author, ran a girls school in Medford in 1799. Epley will speak on Rowson's connections to Medford and how she may have used material from a Medford scandal in her novels. Learn about the curious case of Joseph and Mary Wyman and their daughter, Susan…