Historic Medfield
Medfield was established in 1649 and incorporated as a town in 1651 by 13 settlers from Dedham. The town was the site of a major battle in King Philip's War, during which 32, or half, of the town's homes were burned.About The Society
Established in 1891, our historical society is one of the oldest in the Commonwealth. We are a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing Medfield's history.
The Medfield Museum and Historical Society building is located at 6 Pleasant Street, Medfield, MA 02052. It is open the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10AM to 12 Noon and at other times by appointment for researchers and other visitors. Call 508-359-4773 and leave a message, or e-mail medfieldhistoricalsociety at gmail.com.
The Society also owns the historic Peak House. The house is a rare example of Elizabethan architecture and construction, dating to the late 1600's, and is one of the oldest wooden structures in the United States.
We encourage everyone with an interest in Medfield history to join the society. Dues are modest. We need active involvement from the community if we are to grow and thrive. We welcome your questions and program ideas. We also welcome donations of historical materials, artifacts, and information...and of course, funding from memberships as well as contributions.
Programs and Events
We have informative public programs five times each year - the first Monday evening of October, November, February, March, and April - usually at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, a National Register property, at 26 North Street, plus other members-only social events.
Fall 2011
Medfield Remembers 150 Years Later… The War of the Rebellion 1861-1865: A Two-Part Series Examining Medfield’s Role in the Civil War
October 3, 2011
They Made the Ultimate Sacrifice: The Medfield Dozen Who Gave Their Lives During the Civil War
Each of the twelve brave men from Medfield who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country during the Civil War has a unique story to tell. Town Historian and Historical Society curator, Richard DeSorgher, will bring to life each of the soldier’s stories, taking us into battle, into Libby Prison and into the swamps of Carollton, Louisiana. The bodies of seven of those soldiers were never returned to their home town, but instead lie today in unmarked graves scattered throughout the South. One of those graves was recently discovered by former Medfield Historical Society President, George Gray, while doing research. George will give the account of his amazing discovery in the Chattanooga National Cemetery near Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and bring alive the final days of Daniel McMahon.
November 7, 2011
Singing the Holy Cause of Freedom
Town Historian and Historical Society curator, Richard DeSorgher, with help from area Civil War experts, will give an account of many of the 82 Medfield boys who marched off to war after receiving a town send off. We will be transported in time to the Medfield of the 1860’s and get a flavor for what it was like living in Medfield during that tragic but exciting period. Songs of the time will be sung and an original flag flown during the Civil War will be on display as will a variety of Civil War memorabilia from the vault of the Historical Society and from private collections.
Society Properties
Medfield Museum and Society Offices
The Medfield Museum and Society Office is located at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets in Medfield Center.
The building at 6 Pleasant Street is open the First and Third Saturdays from 10 am to noon - please come by and see us!
Or, phone us at 508-359-4773, or e-mail: medfieldhistoricalsociety at gmail.com
The Peak House
The Peak House , located at the corner of Main and Pound streets, was deeded to the Medfield Historical Society on October 18, 1924 by its then-owners, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick M. Smith, after which it received a down-to-the-frame restoration. Originally built in 1660, it is one of the earliest surviving examples of Postmedieval English (Elizabethan) architecture in the United States.
It is open for tours from 2 - 5 pm Sunday afternoons in the Summer. In addition the Society's Annual Peak House Pantry Sale, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, showcases the Peak House and raises money for its ongoing maintenance.