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| Upcoming Events
Go Back in Time to When the Medfield State Hospital
Was in Operation
Monday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Old Meetinghouse/First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
26 North Street, Medfield
Cost: *Free, Public Welcome
For at least a generation, one of Medfield’s main concerns has been, and continues to be, what will become of the now-deserted Medfield State Hospital.
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Medfield State Hospital, Early 1990s. Source: Medfield Historical Society.
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But on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, the Medfield Historical Society will take you back in time, to an era when thousands of people lived on the large campus. Back in those days, when people in Medfield – less worried about political correctness – used to quip, “I’m from Medfield, where half the town is crazy.”
Marge Vasaturo will head a line-up of people who worked at the hospital and knew the place intimately. She will share memories of working there summers while she was in college in the 1950s, and later as a member of the Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years.
She will be joined by Darel Nowers, who grew up on the hospital grounds and whose father, Rod, managed the hospital’s farm operation; and by Mary Calo, R.N., who worked there as a nurse for 30 years; plus a few others.
We hope many of you in the audience will speak up about your own experiences and memories of the hospital. If you cannot attend the event but would like to share your story, please forward it to medfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
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Slavery in Colonial Medfield:
A Tale of Three 18th Century Medfield Families
Monday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Old Meetinghouse/First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
26 North Street, Medfield
Cost: *Free, Public Welcome
In pre-revolutionary America, several respected Medfield families were slaveholders.
In March, former society curator Alice Crawley will present the stories of three Medfield men and their families: Warwick and Newport Green (brought here as slaves), and John Greene, a Boston merchant and slaveholder who voluntarily came to Medfield from Boston in the early 1770s.
What happened to these men? How did Medfield treat its slave population? Find out on March 3rd.
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*NOTE: There is no charge for these programs but donations – either at the door or HERE — are greatly appreciated.
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Museum Hours:
Saturdays 10 am – noon
and
by Appointment
(508) 359-4773
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| History of the Clark Tavern: Nathan Hale Slept Here
The Clark Tavern holds a prominent place in the history of Medfield and America.
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Clark Tavern, circa 1770s. Source: Medfield Historical Society.
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The Clark Tavern has a vast history. The inhabitants of the Clark Tavern played a significant role in shaping Medfield’s path in history.
The westerly side of the Tavern was built by Seth Clark, son of Seth Clark, owner and builder of the “Peak House” located next door to the east, in 1741 as his residence and an Inn.
He marries Thankful Allen and the following year they call the tavern home. Seth becomes one of the most influential men in town. He serves as selectman in 1752, 1754, 1755 and 1762, Representative to the General Court in 1763, 1764, 1764 and 1768.
Seth’s son, Ebenezer, marries Abigail Ellis in 1770 and they build the easterly section of the tavern.
Father and son live jointly on the property in more ways than one: Sharing their personal lives, business and very connected living arrangements.
Seth becomes Delegate to the Provincial Congress in 1775 and in 1776, during the American Revolution, he and his son allow the tavern to be used as a headquarters for the Connecticut militia.
During this Revolutionary time period, Nathan Hale, an American Revolutionary War hero arriving there on January 27, 1776, spent the night and enjoyed breakfast the next morning before continuing on his journey with the Connecticut Militia of which he was first lieutenant. This is chronicled in Hale’s Diary.
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Nathan Hale statue in New York City. Source: wikipedia.org.
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After losing the Battle of Long Island, when the British overtook New York City, General George Washington handpicked Nathan for a mission to gather information on the British in New York. Despite his disguise, Hale was recognized by Major Robert Rogers.
Almost exactly nine months after Hale’s stay at the Clark Tavern in Medfield, he was hanged by the British as a spy. Just before his death he declared, “I only regret that I have but one life to give to my country.”
George Washington is believed to have stopped at the tavern but no concrete evidence can be found to substantiate this claim. Is it possible Washington and Nathan Hale met there to discuss Hale’s induction into General Washington’s spy ring? We may never know.
Seth Clark became Assistant Commissary in the Continental Army in 1778. So, the Clark Tavern and the Clark Family’s commitment and involvement during the American Revolution were substantial, which gives Medfield a very prominent position in America’s history and the development of our nation.
Seth’s passing in 1805 must have been a great loss to Medfield. Son Ebenezer continues on the family tradition of the father and son business with his son Ebenezer Jr. and also continues the tradition of serving the town as selectman in 1784, 1785 and, in 1794, was chairman of the committee for the Baptist Society.
Upon Ebenezer Sr.’s death in 1810 his son, Ebenezer Jr., becomes sole proprietor of the Tavern. Ebenezer Jr. marries Olive Pond that same year and starts planning the Grand Hall addition. In August 1810, it was completed and was dedicated. People came from surrounding towns to witness its dedication because it was the grandest hall in the region. This Hall became a meeting place for the Sons of Temperance, St. Edwards Church, and even some marriages were officiated there; but it was mostly used for formal dances with James Clark, a distant cousin of the owner who ran the Phoenix House in Dedham for many years until it burned in 1880, on the fiddle.
At this time, Main Street was known as the Boston Post Road. In 1806, this post road became the Boston-Hartford Turnpike and a toll was collected at the Clark Tavern (and Bridge Street) for the maintenance of this new turnpike. The tolls rarely covered all its expenses and included:
- Coach, or other 4-wheeled spring vehicle $0.25
- 2-horse wagon $0.10
- 2-oxen wagon or cart $0.10
- Man and horse $0.04
- Sleigh or sled, 2 horses, or 2 oxen $0.08
- Horses, cattle, mules & driver, each $0.01
- Sheep or swine, dozen $0.03
Source: Francis D. Donovan, The Hartford & Dedham Turnpike in Medway
With this new turnpike came stagecoach passage in Medfield. The Clark Tavern was a stagecoach stop and Ebenezer Jr. was one of the stagecoach drivers from Medfield to Dedham as well as being Postmaster and Innholder.
Today, when passing by modern-day Clark Taven, you are unaware of this building’s amazing history. You can only see an old decaying building that has seen better days. But the Clark Tavern holds a prominent place in Medfield’s and our country’s history.
The new owners, John and Michelle Linnert, would like to bring the Tavern back to its former glory. They plan to restore it to a bed and breakfast type of establishment, not unlike its use in the past.
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Clark Tavern, 2014.
Credit: Cheryl O’Malley.
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The Clark Tavern walls can talk and this is what they have to say…
The Linnerts had the foresight to perform dendrochronology (tree ring science), which can date all the phases of the structure precisely. Doctor Dan Miles of Oxford University Dendrochronology Lab in England performed the testing. The preliminary results are in and they are astounding.
The exciting part is that we need to revisit an article in one of our Portal issues about its neighboring building, the Peak House.
This article released the dendrochronology results that the Medfield Historical Society received on the Peak House in 2006. It revealed its age as being 1711. We concluded then that the peak House was probably not built for Benjamin Clark but for his son Seth. We are reasonably sure that Benjamin’s original house was located further back on the property, nearer to the stone wall than the present day structure, and it was set ablaze and burned to the ground during the King Philip War. We know Benjamin rebuilt as he received funds for that effort. Where this second structure was located has been in question.
The recent testing of the Clark Tavern revealed that most of the historical dates previously known were fairly close to the felling dates of the recently-tested timbers. These tests showed that (a) the tree felling date of the west section’s tree is winter of 1741, though it was historically believed to be built in 1740, (b) the east section being spring 1770 when it was thought to be 1773, and (c) the ballroom spring 1805 with its historical date being 1810.
We can reasonably conclude that Benjamin’s second structure was still standing in 1770, when the easterly end of the Tavern was built, since there were reused timbers in the attic and basement that date to Benjamin’s rebuild of 1677. We can then surmise that Benjamin’s second house and the Peak House were standing together for more than 60 years on this property and that the Tavern’s westerly section stood together with the other two structures for over 25 years. It was a family compound consisting of grandfather, father, son and grandson’s homesteads and they all probably shared the same well.
The reused rafters in the tavern’s eastern block also reveal more about Benjamin’s status in Medfield. His post-King Phillip War structure was constructed with substantial refinements such as interrupted stop chamfers on the common rafters. Doctor Dan Miles stated in his preliminary dendrochronology report, “This building was constructed for someone with some standing and resources, and was built properly and substantially.” This means Benjamin was a reasonably wealthy man of high standing in Medfield.
Now, if we analyze these rafters further, and compare them with other first period structures in Massachusetts, according to Anne Grady the Boston Area Dendrochronology Project coordinator, we find only two or three other examples with this type of refinement applied to their rafters. So, the Clark Tavern’s common rafters are exceptionally rare and noteworthy.
We have always known that the Tavern was closely linked to the Peak House through the people of the Clark family. But we never knew the structures were so intimately connected to each other.
This new data enables us to gain the full story of the Clark’s of the Peak House and Tavern. We now can reclaim this extraordinary piece of Medfield’s history thanks to the Linnert’s desire to leave no stone unturned in saving the Tavern’s history. Medfield will always be indebted to them for their foresight.
~ Cheryl O’Malley
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Dear Osler,
Historical Society and Historical Commission Both Support the Clark Tavern Proposal
Joseph Clark was one of Medfield’s original 13 settlers. The Clarks were prominent, active members of the community and served in local and state political offices. The earliest part of the Clark Tavern (353-355 Main Street) was built about 1740 by Seth Clark, and there were major additions built in 1770 and 1807. The family owned and operated it over several generations as an inn for travelers and a gathering place for weddings, concerts, dances, and other social events. In the 19th century, it was also a meeting place for the Sons of Temperance (see below) and St. Edward’s parish (before it had a permanent church building).
The Clark Tavern is one of Medfield’s most important historic properties… and by far its most endangered. Until it was bought by 20-year Medfield residents John and Michelle Linnert last summer, the Clark Tavern was the most at-risk of Medfield’s really important historic properties.
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| Clark Tavern, Early 1770s. Source: Medfield Historical Society. |
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Clark Tavern, Jan. 2014. Credit: Theresa Knapp.
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The Linnerts have applied to the Medfield Zoning Board of Appeals for a special permit which would allow them to restore the Clark Tavern and operate it as a restaurant, B&B, gathering place, and, yes, as a tavern…but a quiet tavern like the Sherborn Inn (only smaller).
The ZBA held a public hearing on the case on Jan. 9, 2014; it was recessed after 2.5 hours and will resume on Feb. 26, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Anyone can attend.
Unoccupied since the death of Lorraine Laverty in 2007, the tavern had had some ongoing maintenance work to help stabilize it, but not enough to stop the slow deterioration. The Linnerts are offering the first viable concrete proposal in decades that would reverse the decline of this extremely important piece of Medfield history.
If the Linnerts’ proposal is turned down, the Medfield Historical Society and the Medfield Historical Commission fear this unique New England property will be sold to a developer. The builder would eventually demolish it and replace it with a generic new “colonial” just like so many other “colonial” houses recently built nearby and all across America.
The Clark Tavern and the Peak House are at one end of Medfield’s crown jewels – the half mile of old, well-maintained, architecturally interesting and diverse houses that extend on East Main Street to South Street. Once, after spending 10 days visiting friends in several cookie-cutter communities in Florida, I came home ranting, “There’s more architectural variety on East Main Street, Medfield, than there is in the entire state of Florida!”
In this debate, I personally feel great empathy for the neighbors who are nervous about the Linnerts’ proposal. Their concerns must be addressed as the project goes forward. If I lived nearby, I’d be concerned about the issues that bother them though I wouldn’t want the project to be scuttled. I’d especially worry about an exiting patron trying to turn left to head east on busy Route 109. Frustrated by the endless wait for traffic to clear in both directions, a driver could rationalize, “I’ve been waiting a long time, and that car really isn’t coming all that fast, and I’m pretty sure I can make it.” Uh-oh! Screech! Boom!
Despite the traffic engineer’s report, I’m convinced it would be much safer if everyone exited right, with the eastbound people turning left a few hundred feet down onto Robert Sproul Road, then turning left on Pound Street to get to 109 East.
The source of my empathy? About 20 years ago the town wanted to widen South Street Extension in front of my house. The plan was proposed by the selectmen and the planning board members – none of whom lived on my street. I, and virtually every other resident on the street, opposed the plan, fearing faster traffic and loss of rural character.
I remember the anger and resentment we felt at being outvoted at town meeting, but I got over it. The widened road – with a sidewalk – is undeniably safer, and much of the vegetation has grown back in. You cannot stop change.
Both the Historical Society and the Historical Commission strongly support the Linnerts’ proposal to restore and reopen the historic Clark Tavern. It is, by far, the best option we have for this historic property.
What can you do?
If you have an opinion one way or the other on this proposal, the ZBA would like to hear from you. You can to write to Medfield Town Planner Sarah Raposa, who provides support to the ZBA and the Planning Board, at sraposa@medfield.net, and/or Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Mark Fisher at mlfisher@verizon.net. You can also send “snail mail” to them at Medfield Town House, 459 Main Street, Medfield, MA 02052.
Sincerely,
Do you ever wonder…
Who were the Sons of Temperance who met at the Clark Tavern?
The Sons of Temperance was a fraternal organization that was incorporated in New York on Sept. 29, 1842.
It quickly grew to have 5,000 chapters in the United States as well as in the United Kingdom, where it is still active. Members included Presidents Lincoln, Hayes and (surprise!) Grant. Members were dedicated not only to abstinence from alcohol, but also to mutual support in time of sickness or death.
Alcoholism was an even greater social and economic problem in the 19th century than it is today. Many organizations like the Sons of Temperance and the Prohibition Party sprang up as a result.
The Prohibition Party was established in 1869 and has competed in every presidential election since that time. In fact, in 2012, the Prohibition Party’s Presidential candidate, Jack Fellure of Midkiff, W.Va., garnered 519 votes nationally. The Prohibition Party played a major role in the adoption of Prohibition in 1919. Its influence has declined since repeal in 1933.
How do you differentiate between Medfield’s three historical organizations with similar names?
1. The Medfield Historical Society is a private non-profit organization, founded in 1891, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing Medfield’s history. Its building and museum is at 6 Pleasant Street. Since 1924, it has also owned the Peak House.
2. The Medfield Historical Commission, appointed by the Board of Selectmen, is a part of our town government. Its basic role is to advocate for preserving Medfield’s rich history as town development decisions are being made. The Historical Commission administers the demolition delay bylaw, which protects historic properties from summary demolition without due process.
3. The Medfield Historic District Commission, also appointed by the Board of Selectmen, administers the bylaws which relate to Medfield’s four historic districts: the Metcalf district on West Main Street, the Kingsbury Pond district on Spring Street, the Hospital Farm district on Hospital Road, and the North Street district which runs from Main Street to Green Street.
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| The Bethlehem Window: One of Medfield’s Lesser-Known Art Treasures
 The Bethlehem Window is an original feature of the Church of the Advent, 28 Pleasant Street, on what was in 1905 the wall facing southeast. It appears no one knows who the artist was who created it; it was donated by a member, Mrs. Mark Woodbine.
The gothic-arched window, which is approximately eight feet across and seven feet high, is now illuminated by an electric light instead of sunlight since, with church expansions, it’s now part of an interior wall. It’s a strikingly beautiful window – this photo doesn’t begin to do it justice. You should see it directly. The church is usually unlocked – just walk in the red doors and let someone there know you’d like to see the window, which is located at the rear of the sanctuary. The light switch is on the right as you face the Bethlehem Window.
Land for the church was donated by Sarah Bates Lawrence (1846-1926) of New York, who spent summers in Medfield, like several others who were socially or artistically prominent. This is the same Sarah Lawrence for whom the progressive liberal
 arts college in Yonkers, New York, is named. The college was established in 1926 by her husband, New York real estate tycoon William Van Duzer Lawrence, as a women’s college focused on the arts and humanities; it became coeducational in 1968.
Notable Sarah Lawrence alumni include authors Alice Walker and Ann Patchett; actors Sigourney Weaver, Joanne Woodward, Tea Leoni, Robin Givens, Kyra Sedgwick, Carrie Fisher. Other graduates who became well-known public figures include Barbara Walters, Yoko Ono, Vera Wang, and Rahm Emmanuel. ~ David F. Temple
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People of the Past: The Clarks of
Clark Tavern
Joseph Clark, who was born in England, was one of the earliest settlers of Dedham and then became one of the first 13 who undertook the settlement of Medfield. In the genealogical line, next came Benjamin. Born in Dedham, Benjamin was a wheelwright by trade. He married Dorcas Morse in 1668 and had a grant for a house lot “near the way as you go out at Nantasket.” At that time, the area on which the current Peak House and Clark Tavern now stand was known by the Wompanoag name of “Nantasket.”
Benjamin and his family were living in the original Peak House during the King Philip War and were burned out by the Native Americans in their attack on the town. The Clarks made it safely to the garrison but lost their house. Their 10th son, Seth, born in 1687, is next in the genealogical line. Seth married Abigail Metcalf in 1713 and was the owner of a slave. He also served as town treasurer and selectman for many years.
Seth Jr. was born in 1714 and came into possession of the property “at Nantasket.” In 1741, Seth built the original part of what is now called the Clark Tavern. He was one of the most influential men in the town serving as selectman for many years, representative to the General Court, delegate to the Provincial Congress and assistant commissary in the American Army during the Revolutionary War. He married Thankful Allen in 1742 and, in their new house on East Main Street, next to the Peak House, raised seven children, including son Ebenezer.
Ebenezer remained upon the homestead, enlarging the Clark Tavern in 1773, building on the easterly end, and carrying on the business of an innholder. He married Abigail Ellis, and they raised 10 children at the Clark Tavern. Ebenezer served on the board of selectmen.
In 1794, as chairman of the committee of the Baptist society, he was seized for non-payment of ministerial taxes, and placed in jail in Boston. The selectmen of the town, however, quickly realized they had been overzealous and hurried into Boston to secure his release. This was the last recorded attempt in Medfield to force non-Puritans to pay a tax in support of the Puritan minister.
Ebenezer continued his innholding at the Clark Tavern, joining with his son Ebenezer Jr. who built the beautiful hall attached to the “old Clark Tavern.” As postmaster in Medfield, he ran the post office out of the Clark Tavern from 1809 to 1818. Ebenezer Sr. died in 1810, and the business of running the inn, which contained both tavern and guest rooms, passed to Ebenezer Jr. and then to Partridge Holbrook and thus out of the Clark family.
~ Richard DeSorgher
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| Photo Album: Clark Tavern
Did you know the Medfield Historical Society has thousands of photos available for the public to view? Here are just a few of the Clark Tavern.
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| Clark Tavern, Early 1770s. Source: Medfield Historical Society. |
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Clark Tavern (left) and Peak House.
Source: Medfield Historical Society.
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Clark Tavern, fall 2013. Credit: Cheryl O’Malley.
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Clark Tavern: Source: Medfield Historical Society.
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| Past Events
 The Medfield Historical Society would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to Doug and Meredith Teany for hosting this year’s members-only holiday party at their home, the Granville Mitchell House at 111 North Street.
Several members visited the historic house on Dec. 8, 2013, and enjoyed an afternoon of good food, good company, and great tours of the circa 1910 house including stops in the attic, basement and barn.
If you’d like to attend members-only events, it’s easy! Just click HERE to join the Medfield Historical Society.
   
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| Curators Corner: Reorganizing the Archives
We are keeping a careful eye as we approach the lower level reorganization. With limited space we are always challenged by staying operational during a new project. We plan to accomplish this by first reorganizing the vault with appropriate shelving and archival storage boxes.
This is something that has been needed and will greatly improve our ability to preserve our documents. It is also our first step in organizing items for eventual storage in the basement.
During the month of February, we will be culling the herd, so to speak, by removing nonessential items in the basement thus acquiring much-desired space for our new, metal, collections storage racks. (The current broken plastic racks have passed their life expectancy.)
We will also investigate our options on upgrading our heating and cooling system to a larger and more efficient system to include the lower level. If any of you have recently upgraded and are satisfied with the results we would be pleased to hear your suggestions and recommendations. We are not limited by type of fuel, so, all options are welcome.
Our hope is that, in our next newsletter, we be reporting all kinds of improvements and updates on our collections storage. Stay tuned!
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2013-2014 Curators
David Temple, President
Mike Stamer, Treasurer
Dan Bibel
Andrea TCronin
Jack Downing
Garland Kincaid
Theresa Knapp
Susan Geller Leavitt
Michelle Linnert
Cheryl O’Malley
Student Curators
Lia Bonfatti
Charlie Horan
Would YOU Like to be a Curator?
If so, contact us HERE or call 508-359-4773.
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