Medfield Residents Reflect on 9/11 at Peak House

On a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon, standing on the lawn in front of the Peak House, President David Temple said it was important to mark this “significant anniversary” and was proud of the flag display around him.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years” was a common expression Sunday, referring to the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, as many in the Medfield community stopped by the Peak House for the last tour of the summer season and to see and appreciate the many flags that were on display.

 “Richard came to us with this idea and it was a great opportunity to get these flags seen," said Medfield Historical Society curator, Cheryl O’Malley. "It was important being the 9/11 anniversary.” 

Initially, members of the historical society were concerned how to display the flags but the weather cooperated and they were able to set up on the Peak House's lawn.

seniors, Kyle Andrulonis and Kabir Thatte were in charge of one of the many treasures. They stood and
protected a very large 1896 flag with 45 stars. 

“This flag flew over the old corner store in Medfield, which is now the
Mobil Station,” said Andrulonis. 

Being the second oldest flag on display and 115 years old, it was quite yellow and stained. Medfield Historian, Richard DeSorgher, further noted that the “old corner store was owned by Julias A. Fitts and he was Medfield’s oldest Civil War Veteran. He died at 100 years old.”

Another extremely large flag was the oldest flag there. It dated back to 1877 and has only 38 stars.

“This flag flew over the north end of Medfield in a show of support during the Spanish-American War,” said DeSorgher.

DeSorgher, along with curators and members of the Medfield Historical Society decided to mark this 10th anniversary of 9/11 by showing the importance of American Flags and patriotism. 

DeSorgher and former students of his were able to answer many questions about the Peak House, and the flags on display. 

Many of the visitors were asked why they came to the Peak House today, and their responses were filled with an overall sense of patriotism, town pride, 9/11 memories and reflection.

David Hiltz, a former DeSorgher student, who is currently student teaching history in Canton, recalled being in “eighth grade English class” when events were unfolding on that fateful day 10 years ago. 

He said the feeling he had was an “eerie” one. Once he got home from school, he remembers watching television coverage and talking with his family about what had happened.

Some who visited, like Joan and Warren Bussow, said “we came because of the day; we’ll never forget.” 

Even though they have lived in Medfield for 42 years, today was their first time taking a tour of the Peak House. Joan recalled 10 years ago
she was working at the Town Election and knew nothing of what had happened, but later on a policeman was sent to the polls and “that was scary” she said. “I felt vulnerable; the world had changed.”

Sean and Mary Teehan came because they knew DeSorgher was putting up the display. They have lived in Medfield for 23 years and only Mary had taken a tour of the house in the past.

Matt Santangelo and his high school freshman son, Alex, stopped by after a lacrosse game. They both wanted to see the display of flags and being 9/11, it was important for them to come. 

When asked if they had been to the Peak House before, Alex replied "of course!"

Fran Fedor, a member of the Medfield Historical Society was giving a tour to Martha Conti and her baby daughter, Christiana. 
Even though Conti has lived in Medfield for only three months, she was very interested in learning about the town. 

Seth Wilson came with and his aunt Janet Pyles from Wisconsin.  “We’re going” said Pyles when she realized today was the last chance to visit the Peak House this season.

Sisters, Mary Willey-McCarthy and Monie McCarthy Kurtowicz grew up in Medfield and were classmates of DeSorgher but this was the first time Willey-McCarthy had come for a tour. 

High School juniors, Michael Collins and Nick Cosentino along with younger brother, John Cosentino were enjoying the second floor of the Peak House and all the old and unusual items that were on display. 

Barbara and Gregory Andrulonis came because their son was volunteering with the flag display. They have been to the Peak
House Pantry Sale in the past, but never taken a tour before. Their son, Kyle, recalled living in New Jersey 10 years ago and although he was only in third grade, it was his younger kindergarten age brother who told him the awful news of the day. 

Medfield senior and volunteer, Kabir Thatte, recalled his mom picking him up from school the morning of 9/11 “early, about 9:30 a.m., which was something she never did.”  But both boys recall their parents trying to keep everything “normal” and not letting them focus on the television set. 

As seniors in high school now, they said their textbooks include the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Fifteen-year-old Christopher Bennotti and his 13 -year-old sister, Julianne are too young to remember the events from 10 years ago, but “they made a big deal of it in school this year,” said Christopher and both of them have watched videos about 9/11. They came to see the flag display with their grandmother.

Mike Stamer, Medfield Historical Society treasurer, explained he is part of this group because he “enjoys history and ways to get involved with town activities,” but he reflected on the days immediately following Sept. 11, 2001. His office had a view of Logan Airport. 

“I’d look out my window and I was not seeing any activity at Logan; the planes were just parked on the tarmac," he said. "Things had changed.”