Community Corner

Medfield's Annual Pantry Sale at the Peak House Set for Nov. 19

Proceeds from the annual pantry sale are used to maintain and make necessary repairs to the historic house under the maintenance of the Medfield Historical Society.

On Nov. 19, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Medfield residents are expected to line up outside the famous Peak House on Main Street to participate in the town's annual pantry sale, which opens at 10 a.m.

The Annual Peak House Thanksgiving Day Sale is sponsored by the The Peak House is one of a kind and is one of the few surviving examples of post-medieval English architecture in the United States. It is the only free standing structure of its kind in America.

Over 300 years ago, the house was built by Benjamin Clark and was used as a residence, workshop etc. until 1924, when it was deeded to the Historical Society. 

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Now, a national historic landmark, it is owned and maintained by the society and open on Sundays in the summer to visitors and only for its annual sale in the winter. The sale offers visitors an opportunity to see both the lower floor, with its impressive fireplace and separate “borning” room as well as the upstairs sleeping loft in the small house that features original ceiling beams and gunstock posts.

The long awaited sale also draws visitors who know what delicacies - home-baked pies, breads, cookies and jams and jellies - are waiting inside. The homemade apple pies, made by a pie baking committee, and the wheels of Vermont Cheddar, sell out early in the day. 

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Previously, the cheese had been cut in pound wedges by Ellis Allen, who drove up from the Cape for the sale. Last year, in announcing his retirement, Allen handed over the original cheese cutting-tool made by his grandfather to Mike Stamer, the society’s treasurer. 

Stamer is anxiously awaiting his debut performance to do justice to the trust placed in him.

As always, there will be favorite Historical Society memorabilia that include cup plates, in a variety of colors, embossed with the Peak House, refrigerator magnets, maps and postcards. Medfield Histories, prior to 1889 by the Society’s founder William Tilden and from 1889 through 1924 by Town Historian Richard DeSorgher also are popular.             

 “The History of Medfield” DVD includes photos of Medfield throughout its 350-year history. DeSorgher narrates the video. Profits from the sale of this item benefit the Society’s Scholarship Fund.

In addition to the wonderful home baked goodies, more than one bargain can be found on the lawn at the White Elephant tables outside the house and under the tent. The White Elephant sale committee has been tenacious at yard sales and accepting moving castoffs throughout the year. Prices will be extremely reasonable, according to the society.

All contributions for the baked goods table and the White Elephant sale should be delivered to the Peak house on Friday, Nov. 18 between 2 and 5 p.m.

The proceeds from donor contributions and the annual sale are used to maintain and make necessary repairs to the house. Everyone is invited to visit Medfield's historic treasure while the house is decorated for the Thanksgiving holiday.


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