Michael Bradford

MEDFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM WINTER 2015 President's Overview Michael Bradford Do you remember my Longtime Volunteer Archivist column of a year ago interview by David Fedo when I quoted from one of our old Registers? Visitors to the Medford Historical About the winter of Society and Museum on Sunday 1715; the snow fell to afternoons will often find archivist an unusual depth, with much of drift, Michael Bradford, a seasoned causing great distress to the then thinly volunteer, available to answer their settled inhabitants; among the number questions on all things Medford, was a Widow, living in a one story past and present. Michael has house with her children, who had been a member of the MHSM buildings situated on the road to since 1982, and in the ensuing Charlestown, called milk row, so deeply years, has served at various times covered with snow that it could not be as curator, librarian and treasurer found for many days, until discovered of the organization. by the smoke issuing from above the A native of Winthrop, and a snow bank; her small stock of fuel was resident of West Medford since and even offered me a key to the exhausted, and some of her furniture 1957, Michael graduated with a building. I’ve been here ever since was also burnt to keep them from Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts because I love all things historical. suffering, before the snow could be from Northeastern University and removed. a Master of Science in Library DAVID: What do visitors to the MHSM want to know about Do you have an interesting experi- Science from Simmons College. He Medford’s history? ence from our winter, exactly 300 years was employed as a Ranger for the later? If so, send it to me, and I’ll create National Park Service from 1986 MICHAEL: A major interest of a file at the Society. In the spirit of the to his retirement in 2012, mostly Medford’s residents is, What is play, “Letters to Medford,” think of it as serving as a guide to Boston’s the history of my Medford house? a memo to the future. Perhaps in 2115 popular Freedom Trail and the It’s fun to do this research because, or 2315, someone will be interested in Charlestown Navy Yard. Of his vol- obviously, houses matter to their reading our quaint recollections of unteer work, Michael, perched at owners. Of course, the resources another winter in which “the snow a cluttered table in the crowded of the Middlesex County Registry fell to an unusual depth, with much second floor of the MHSM building of Deeds can be helpful, but I can drift.” You can email me at at 10 Governors Avenue, says sim- usually trace the housing histories [email protected] or write c/o ply: “I like meeting people, and I too, and pretty quickly. Next are MHSM. enjoy looking things up.” I caught inquiries about the genealogies of Progress continues at MHSM. In spite up with Michael Bradford on a families and individuals from the of threatening weather, Susan Fedo and wintry Sunday afternoon in late public at large—these are very January, 2015. common, too. And finally, there continued page 2 are a myriad of questions about DAVID: What led you to become Medford’s historical figures— Society Officers associated with the Medford about the abolitionist Lydia Maria President John Anderson Historical Society? Child, for example, and about Vice President David Fedo MICHAEL: That’s an interesting James Lord Pierpont, the compos- Treasurer Ruth Roper question. During our country’s er of “Jingle Bells,” and questions Assistant Treasurer Hallie Lee Bicentennial celebration in 1976, about the chronology of Medford’s Recording Secretary Jay Hurd members of the MHSM held some business and industrial progress Corresponding Secretary Susan Fedo membership drives outside its over the centuries, and more— Director of Collections Barbara Kerr building on Governors Avenue. including inquiries about our col- I expressed some interest, and Directors at Large lection of Civil War photographs. later the longtime president of Stanley Eckstein John Pompeo the Society, Dr. Joseph Valeriani, Mike Oliver Joan Quigley asked if I wished to get involved, continued page 2 1 http://www.medfordhistorical.org Michael Bradford Interview continued And we also hold a fascinating ship’s log which recounts a 19th century voyage from Boston to DAVID: Why is Medford important to the history Calcutta. This is a treasure of detail about what of Massachusetts? crossing an ocean was like during the times. MICHAEL: Of course there is Paul Revere and his DAVID: I understand that you have traveled to famous ride. But Medford was one of a special group Staffordshire, England and visited the locale of the of the first settlements and towns in what would town of Meadford, likely the birthplace and home th become Massachusetts in the early 17 century. of Matthew Cradock who is known as the founder Then later, in 1660, Medford’s 500 acres were divid- of Medford. What did you find? ed up for the prominent local families, including MICHAEL: What I found was that Meadford is part of the Brooks, the Wymans, the Wades, the Bradshaws, a larger city called Stone. The clay pits in Stafford- the Bradleys and the Tufts, among others. And much shire might have attracted the attention of Matthew later, in 1755, Medford was awarded what were Cradock, and of course clay pits were also found in called the “Charlestown Woodlots,” which greatly our Medford. Clay later became important for provid- expanded the geographical size of the original ing the binding qualities that were so important in Medford to both the north and south sides of the brickmaking. Mystic River. Medford is also known for its famous rum, its shipbuilding (a total of 568 ships built from DAVID: I know that you have a special interest in 1803 to 1873), and brick manufacturing too. Medford the story of Native Americans in early Medford history, bricks were used to construct the third renovation and that the MHSM has a number of artifacts in its of Fort Independence in Boston’s Castle Island. Tufts collection. Can you elaborate on that? University is also here in Medford. And there is MICHAEL: Yes, this is true. The Native Americans, much, much more, including the fact that Medford who had settled in the area many, many years before has been the home of artists and writers including the British colonized the area, were called the Mystic the novelist Paul Theroux and poet John Ciardi. Indians and were a branch of the tribe identified as DAVID: How would you characterize the collection the Pawtuckets. The last of Medford’s Native Ameri- of the Medford Historical Society and Museum? cans seems to have died around 1820. I have come MICHAEL: We have a very rich collection of historical to admire their “cycle of living”—their planting and documents and artifacts. Everyone knows about the harvesting of corn, which was a staple in their diet, 3,600 Civil War photographs even though Medford the way they constructed and lived in palisaded forts, was not the site of any Civil War action. But we have and their hunting skills, mostly of deer. The MHSM’s other extraordinary papers, books, journals and collection includes fine examples of soapstone bowls, physical objects which reflect on our history very grinding tools and more. As I have said earlier, this well. For example, we have in our possession the place—the Medford Historical Society and Museum— original 19th century inventory of one of what were is a great showplace of our city’s past. then the four Medford taverns, this one called the DAVID: Thanks very much, Michael! Blanchard Tavern. The inventory consisted of silver- ware and three mahogany tables which, at the time, were very expensive. This was a prosperous place! Alternative Ways to Support MHSM SMILE at Amazon.com supports MHSM We strongly support President's Overview continued shopping at local establishments whenever possible, whether it be for books, hardware, or gifts. When we support local busi- her volunteers soldiered on with the Valentine’s Day Tea, and we nesses, they can support us. But when you do shop for things had good attendance, lots of tea, good food and a great time! that aren’t available locally consider using Amazon. If you Inside this issue, you’ll find pictures from our event celebrating decide to shop there, first go to SMILE.AMAZON.COM and regis- Howard Johnson’s Restaurants, which spread from Quincy to all ter your support for the Medford Historical Society. One half of of New England, and finally nationwide. Thanks to a grant from one percent of your purchases will come back to us as a rebate. the Medford Arts Council, we are expanding our outreach into When you do buy at Amazon, it will help MHSM. the public schools. You’ll find an article by Allison Andrews about that as well. Employer and Company Matching Gifts Many compa- I want to thank the volunteers (Luke Pomorski, Kyna Hamill, nies will match gifts dollar for dollar or, in some cases, even Robert Crooks, Brenda Breed, Brandon Czaja, and David Fedo) who more. A number of members have taken advantage of this cleared the snow from our walkways at 10 Governors Avenue. Also opportunity and we thank you! . thanks to our tenants at the Peter Tufts House (Devon, Mira, and Life Memberships This is a great way to support MHSM, Sarah) who had to deal with a very difficult sidewalk. and it will also stop those letters asking you to renew! Life Finally, many thanks to everyone who contributed to our Annual memberships are available at $300 for an individual and $400 Appeal which totaled a bit over $2800.

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