Moving History: One Year Anniversary of the Lowell Mason House's Move

Today marks a historic day in Medfield as one year ago, the birthplace of Lowell Mason was moved from 25 Adams St. to 59 Green St. in Hinkley Park and effectively saved from demolition.

The house – through the coordinated efforts of the Town of Medfield Department of Public Works, the and departments, NSTAR, Comcast, and Verizon – completed the 7/10th of a mile move through Medfield’s narrow streets in just over 10 hours, according to Thomas Scotti, board member of The Lowell Mason Foundation.

More About the Historic Move

The move covered Adams, Dale, North and Green Streets. For more coverage on the historic move, check out the following Medfield Patch articles:

• Lowell Mason House Finally Arrives to Green Street Location
• Complications Lead to Longer Than Expected Move of Lowell Mason House
• Medfield Police Chief Praises Efforts of All Involved in Move of Lowell Mason House
• VIDEO: Watch History as Lowell Mason House Moves from Adams to Green Street
• Lowell Mason Foundation to Celebrate Successful Move of Lowell Mason House with Concert

Scotti said portions of Mason's birthplace date to 1651, the year Medfield was incorporated. The Lowell Mason Foundation, which raised over $125,000 in both cash and in-kind donations to fund the move, is now working to restore the building, which will house the Lowell Mason Museum and ultimately a small addition to serve as music practice and performance space.

Most recently, Scotti said the rotted oak sills have been replaced and the aluminum siding has been removed, revealing red wood shingles underneath.

"The foundation is continuing its fundraising efforts," Scotti said. "All told, it will take some $400,000 to fully restore the home. The foundation has recently applied to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for grant money to restore the home and plan the addition. As a part of the application letters of support were supplied by State Senator James E. Timilty, State Representatives Denise Garlick and Dan Winslow, the Medfield Board of Selectmen, the Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization , and Medfield Cultural Council. In addition, music luminaries such as Frank Battisti, Emeritus Conductor – the New England Conservatory, Faith Lueth, President of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and Michael Butera, Executive Director and CEO of the National Association of Music Education also wrote in support." 

However, Scotti says any state grant monies must be matched, dollar for dollar, with the Foundation’s own fundraising efforts, so donations are needed to continue this important work. Contributions can be made out to The Lowell Mason Foundation and mailed to PO Box 913, Medfield, MA 02052 or you can donate online at www.lowellmasonhouse.org .

More About Lowell Mason

Lowell Mason, known as the "Father of Music Education," was born in Medfield in 1792 and wrote over 1,600 hymns, including "Joy to the World" and "Nearer, My God, to Thee." Among his achievements, Mason was instrumental in adding music to the curriculum of America's public schools. Today, many of Mason's hymns are still sung in churches all over the country.

To read more about Mason, check out.