Medford Before Now: Images From Our Past on Display

Members of the Woman’s Relief Corps and Sons of Veterans gathered on the High Street incline in 1900 to cast flowers on the Mystic River in memory of deceased Civil War soldiers. The organization also provided financial aid and material support to veterans’ families. Mobilizing women on the home front became an important contribution to civic pride. Photo by author and historian Dee Morris. Photo is presently on display at Brookline Bank, sponsor of the Medford On The Mystic Arts Festival. Photo courtesy of the Medford Public Library.

As part of the city’s first-ever Medford on the Mystic Arts Festival, everyone is invited to view “Medford Before Now: Images From Our Past,” a “gallery” of Medford images celebrating some of the people, events and architecture from days gone by.

Throughout the month of October, the members of the business community are displaying pictures in their windows or inside their establishments. Discover what Medford’s first Town Hall looked like. Admire the elegance of the Opera House that once adorned High Street. Check out where Samuel Crocker Lawrence, the city’s first mayor, was born. Take a stroll around and see the city through the lens of history.

Write-ups describing each image provided by local Historian & author, Dee Morris. Participating businesses include: Brookline Bank, Alamo Roast Beef, Century 21 Advance Realty, Colleen’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop, The Law Offices of Christopher J. Kiely, ERA Andrew Realty, Grapevine Travelers, Lonergan Insurance and Real Estate Agency, Medford Optical, Mystic Valley Travel, Medford TV3, and Ward’s Gifts.

Visit www.MedfordFestival.org for more info.

– Submitted by Laura Olifiers, ERA Andrew Realty