Tickets Available for Medfield History Day Trolley Tours

Tickets are available at for the annual Discover Medfield History Day trolley tours on Saturday, June 11. 

Tours, sponsored by the Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization, MEMO, depart from the Dwight Derby House on the hour beginning at 9 a.m. The final Old Town Trolley is scheduled to depart at 2 p.m.  Each tour is identical. Tickets are limited to the 40 seats on the trolley and must be purchased for a particular “Back to the Future” tour time.

The cost of the tickets has not increased and remains at $7.50 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

As in the past 18 years, Medfield historian Richard DeSorgher has planned the route to illustrate his theme. “Back to the Future” in 2011 is designed to illustrate how the town landscapes have changed due to demolition of old industrial, recreational and residential buildings to make way for new. Riders may decide whether it was for better or worse.

In the early 1990s a slide show of Historical Society photos could be viewed before or after the tours providing examples of changes.  A DVD, the History of Medfield, on sale at the Historical Society museum on Pleasant Street and at the Peak House during the summer, incorporates the slides to help the riders view the past, since only the future is visible on this year’s ride. With MEMO’s permission, copies of the DVD will be on sale the day of the tour for $10.  The entire cost of the DVD benefits a scholarship fund for a graduate of , chosen annually for a sincere interest in history and promoting history for young people.

A special exhibit at the Dwight Derby House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 11 also illustrates the past through the paintings of John Jesse Francis. One of Medfield's more famous artists, J.J. Francis was a world-renown watercolor artist, who painted local landscapes in his 2nd-floor studio at Medfield's Peak House on Main Street, where he retreated from Boston to Medfield each summer for an undisclosed number of years. He is buried in Vine Lake Cemetery.

The Vine Lake Preservation trust is sponsoring the free exhibit and invites the public to meet J.J.'s grandson, David Dalton Francis, his great-granddaughter, Julie Francis, and other family members at a 2 p.m. reception that same day.  Over 20 watercolors will be on exhibition. 

Discover Medfield History Day is one of the seasonal events sponsored by MEMO, organized in 1979.  The purpose of the organization, similar to a chamber of commerce, is to promote local businesses, services and professionals in Medfield and to provide a network where they can share ideas and business practices with each other. Information regarding MEMO membership may be obtained from Randy at .

MEMO also offers concerts in the Gazebo Park on summer Thursday nights (beginning June 16); the annual Discover Medfield Day in September; a Christmas tree lighting and carol singing and Santa parade in December. MEMO also honors local residents serving in the military by flying flags along the central business district on each major holiday. All events are provided with the help of individual MEMO member sponsors.

For information regarding Medfield History Day please contact  MEMO chairperson, Geralyn Warren of  Thomas & Warren LLC, (508) 242-3110.