"Joy to the World" Singing Contest Winners

Here is a look at the winners from this year's "Joy to the World" youth singing contest.

On Friday, the winners of the second annual "Joy to the World Youth Singing Contest" sang at Medfield's annual tree lighting celebration. The event was sponsored by Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization. The contest was held on Dec. 4 at Medfield High School with over 50 contestants auditioning.  "The organizers admire the guts and musical abilities of all those who participated," said one organizer.  As difficult as it was, the judges chose the following outstanding performers who performed at the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Baxter Park held last Friday evening: Pre-K – 5th Grade Middle School High School Ensembles See you next year!

• Photos (2)

Old-Fashioned Band Concert on Saturday to Benefit Lowell Mason House

A benefit concert to raise money to help restore the childhood home of Lowell Mason who was born in Medfield.

  An old-fashioned band concert will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hinkley Park to raise money to restore the birthplace of Lowell Mason, the founder of music education in the nation's public school system.  All donations made will go toward the restoration of the Lowell Mason House that was moved in 2011 from Adams Street to Green Street (in eyesight of Saturday's concert). About the Lowell Mason House Foundation The Lowell Mason Foundation was founded in October of 2010 when a group of concerned Medfield citizens and music educators from around the country came together with the desire to preserve the legacy of Lowell Mason the Father of Music Education in America. Lowell Mason's birthplace was in jeopardy of…

• Photos (4)
• Documents (1)

Introducing the Lowell Mason Discount Card

For a $50 donation, the card will give you discounts to area businesses and restaurants, and it will also help fund the restoration of the Lowell Mason House on Green Street.

The Lowell Mason Card has been created to offer discounts at area businesses and restaurants. "It's mostly Medfield-based businesses," said Rick Abecunas, who came up with the idea to raise money for the restoration of the Lowell Mason House which was saved from demolition in 2011 when it was moved from Adams Street to Green Street. Lowell Mason (1792-1872) was born in Medfield and is considered the founder of music education in America's public schools. Fundraising paid for the moving and winterizing of the house, and fundraising is now underway to pay for the restoration of the building. "We have $7,000 in the bank and we need $250,000 to $300,000," said Abecunas. "There's a big gap in where we are and where we need to be."  For a $50 …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

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

One year ago today, the Lowell Mason made its 10-hour journey from 25 Adams St. to 59 Green St.

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 Fire and Police 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: Scotti said portions of Mason's birthplace date to 1651, the year…

• Videos (1)

Selectmen Meeting Notes

Lowell Mason House Becomes Town Property; DCAM Open to Selling State Hospital to Medfield

The Medfield Board of Selectmen met Tuesday, March 20 to discuss the following town business.

The town of Medfield received a historic gift from the Lowell Mason Foundation Tuesday after the Board of Selectmen approved the foundation's request to accept the Lowell Mason House – effectively making 59 Green St. town property. However, the gift was simply a formality as the town is expected to lease the property back to the Lowell Mason Foundation. "At some point, the town will venture into a lease of usually $1 per year to lease the house back to the foundation," said Town Administrator Michael Sullivan. "I would just like to thank Town Counsel [Mark Cerel] and Russ Hallisey. They worked out all the details for this." DCAM Open to Selling State Hospital Property to Town Selectmen chair Osler "Pete" Peterson told the board Tuesday …

• Photos (1)

Medfield History Scoreboard: Living in the Past and Proud of It

Medfield History: Peak House Bake Sale, Dwight-Derby House Anniversary and Vine Lake Photo Contest

A roundup of news, notes and happenings regarding Medfield's historic houses, landmarks and committees.

Editor's note: This weekly column will keep you up to date minute by minute on the latest happenings concerning Medfield’s rich history, whether it is giving updates or information concerning town institutions like the Peak House, Dwight-Derby House, Lowell Mason House, or Vine Lake Cemetery or whether they are history related events taking place sponsored by the Historical Society, Historical Commission or other town boards. It will keep you informed about any and all historical related events in town. Our town’s history, historical houses, landscape and open space are what makes Medfield, Medfield; that unique quality we have here that makes Medfield so special. This column will be the one-stop shopping place to keep you informed, …

• Photos (1)

Lowell Mason House Restoration Advances

The Lowell Mason House is is being cleaned up – it looks somewhat better and smells a lot better, but much work remains to be done. The basement needs to be insulated, and the rotten sills and leaking roof urgently need professional help.

Editor's note: The following article was written by David Temple. In the six months since the Lowell Mason birthplace was moved from Adams Street to Green Street, progress of its restoration has continued, even if not all is visible.    The Lowell Mason Foundation (LMF) has raised close to $120,000. The most recent gift was $10,000 from the Middlesex Savings Bank. Much more is needed and fundraising efforts are being ramped up. The mid-18th century house is being cleaned up – it looks somewhat better and smells a lot better, but much work remains to be done. The basement needs to be insulated, and the rotten sills and leaking roof urgently need professional help. LMF Board Member and Green Street resident, Dan Bibel, has been leading the …

• Photos (1)

Lowell Mason House Finally Lowered on Foundation

The Lowell Mason was lowered on the foundation of its 59 Green St. location Wednesday – five months after it moved.

After five months and two days, the Lowell Mason House was lowered onto its new foundation at 59 Green St. Wedensday.  Without all the fanfare and public attention the move received in April, this mission was low-key, but involved precision and accuracy. What looked to be a simple task took over five hours to accomplish.  In April, it was a rainy, chilly day when the house was moved from Adams Street to Green Street and it took over 11 hours to get it placed above its new foundation. Today, the house was lowered approximately 12 inches onto the foundation; that process went quickly, but once lowered it had to be secured and the large I-beams removed.    Cheryl O’Malley, Vice President of the Lowell Mason Foundation and project manager of …

• Photos (24)

Question of the Day

Question of the Day: Medfield Landmarks

Today we are asking you what your favorite Medfield Landmark is.

Questions and conversations are often the driving forces behind change and understanding between neighbors, officials and political leaders.  At Medfield Patch, we want to hear from you! We're always striving to generate conversation and foster dialogue in an effort to give all of our users a voice in the community. Each day, we'll be asking Medfield Patch readers a different question every day. Questions could range from local decisions made by officials, to state issues, to national politics and entertainment. Whatever it is, we want to know what Medfield thinks! To answer, click on the words bolded and highlighted in blue and type away.  Today, we are asking about the landmarks in Medfield that make the town what it is: Lord's …

• Photos (4)

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Help Renovate the Lowell Mason House

While the Lowell Mason Foundation has some funds to start this work, the more funds available now will expedite the process of renovating the house and preparing it for its next life as a museum, rehearsal space, and offices

Dear Editor, I am writing to inform readers of a matching grant that is about to expire for the Lowell Mason Foundation. An anonymous donor has offered to match up to $5,000 in donations with an end date for the matching grant of June 30th. To date as part of this matching grant proposal, we have raised $2,735. We have been working hard to raise the money to renovate the Lowell Mason House. Currently, we are reviewing proposals for the initial work, which must be completed before the end of the summer. While we have some funds to start this work, the more funds available now will expedite the process of renovating the house and preparing it for its next life as a museum, rehearsal space, and offices. So I ask you, before you head off to …

• Photos (1)