Lowell Mason Foundation Proposes Medfield High Auditorium Be Named After Music Educator

Members of The Lowell Mason Foundation spoke at the Medfield School Committee's regular meeting on Jan. 10 about naming the auditorium  in honor of the nationally recognized music educator, Lowell Mason.

Foundation member Cheryl O’Malley proposed the idea to the School Committee.

Mason, a native of Medfield, composed more than 1,600 hymns. At age 17, Mason was named the Choir Director of the in Medfield.  He is most well known for his songs “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Joy to the World.”

In 1832, Mason founded the Boston Academy of Music, while he was the Music Superintendent of the Boston School System. He also wrote a song titled “Medfield” in honor of his hometown.

O’Malley said the auditorium was a fitting place to name after Mason because each performance held in there typically has a musical element to it. She then told the story which exemplified Mason as a teacher.

“He could pick up and play any instrument,” O’Malley said. “One student brought in an instrument he had never seen before. He asked the student to leave it overnight. That night he taught himself how to play so he could teach that student.”

The Lowell Mason Foundation is also from its current location at 25 Adams Street, to a new location in a town park on Green Street. The move is scheduled for Thursday, but it may be postponed to Jan. 25th.

Once moved, the house will be made into a museum commemorating Mason. One of the prized items in the museum will be Mason’s piano.

 The only known building named after Mason in Medfield was the Lowell Mason School, which was opened in 1901. It is now torn down and is an open lot.