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Historical society preserves town’s character

When a person experiences memory loss, it affects their personality and character. The same can be said of a town that is unaware of its own history.

The efforts of the Bedford Historical Society have helped to keep Bedford’s personality and character vibrant and alive. The town’s history is recorded through documents, represented through historic buildings and artifacts, and accessible to residents through books and tours.

Co-Presidents Joan Reeves and Margaret Wiggin took the time to tell us about the historical society’s mission, the original purposes of the buildings the organization occupies, and what hopyards and collapsible paint tubes have to do with Bedford.

Here’s part of the conversation:

Q: When was the Bedford Historical Society founded? What is the organization’s mission?

A: The Bedford Historical Society was founded in 1967, and Judge Peter Woodbury was the first president of the society. Doris Peck Spurway was most instrumental in the organization of the Bedford Historical Society. Currently, she is the unofficial town historian.

The mission of the Bedford Historical Society is to collect and preserve the unique history and traditions of the people and places in Bedford and to share this rich heritage with the community. As we work to increase awareness and appreciation, we are committed to making history interactive, approachable and exciting.

Q: What buildings does the historical society occupy? Do these buildings have any historical significance?

A: The Bedford Historical Society occupies the Schoolhouse #7 building, the Kendall Shop Museum and the post-and-beam carriage shed. The BHS is also leasing from the town the former Stevens-Buswell School.

Schoolhouse #7 was a one-room schoolhouse, used in the early 1800s, given to the BHS and moved to its present site from its original location near Wallace Road and New Boston Road. It is used to house artifacts and provides an area for cataloging and other business needs.

The Kendall Shop Museum was the former “Little Green House” located on the library property. It was built in 1847 and first used as a shoe shop. BHS acquired it in 1995 and moved it adjacent to the schoolhouse and restored it. It opened in 1997 as a museum,which houses artifacts relating to the history of Bedford as a farming community.

The post-and-beam carriage shed was built in 1999 to be used to house some of the larger artifacts, such as the old town hearse. The Stevens-Buswell School building has been leased from the town and is being renovated to use as a community center for the residents of the town.

Q: How do you determine whether an artifact should be added to the historical society’s collection?

A: The BHS has chosen to select artifacts that have some significance to the town of Bedford and its residents.

Q: What are some of the more unusual items in the historical society’s collection?

A: The BHS has collected a variety of unusual items that we have added to our collection. They range from a sign that was used at the Bedford Zoo, mud shoes for horses, old farm implements, antique cobblers’ tools and Gordon Woodbury papers, including manuscripts of his book “John Goffe’s Mill.”

Q: Can you tell me more about the old town hearse? Why did the historical society decide to preserve this item?

A: The old town hearse dates from 1871, when the town of Bedford voted to raise $500 for a new hearse and harness. In the early 1970s, the town gave the hearse to the BHS. It was stored for many years in the Wilding-White Barn on Nashua Road until the carriage shed was built.

When the hearse was acquired by the BHS, it had only winter sleigh runners and the wheels were missing, but it was in otherwise good condition worthy of restoration. When it was restored, new wheels were made for it, so the BHS is able to use it for special events.

Q: Can you share some lesser-known historical trivia about the town of Bedford?

A: One of the interesting bits of trivia is noted in our town history book. In the early 1800s, a Mr. Campbell set out and cultivated the first hopyard in Bedford and probably first in the state. Bedford became the largest hop-growing town in New England until the mid 1830s.

The Stevens-Buswell School, built in 1921, was the first two-room school in town and was reported to have had the first hot lunch program in the state.

There were many brickyards in Bedford. The clay soil in the southern part of town was ideal for brickmaking. Many of the bricks made in Bedford were shipped downriver to Lowell, Mass., where large mills were being built.

John Goffe Rand, an eminent portrait artist in the 1700s who attained fame as the painter of royalty, lived in Bedford. He invented the collapsible paint tube.

Q: According to your website, the historical society has been a resource for the town’s schools for different projects. Can you give me an example of this?

A: Many years, some of the BHS members visited Bedford schools and shared information about Bedford’s history. Tours of Schoolhouse #7 were conducted with first-grade students to give them an appreciation of early school life. Helen Evans greeted students in costume and ringing an old school bell to bring them into school.

Currently, the BHS organizes an essay contest, with the assistance of Daniel Baker, Vice President Bill Earnshaw and son Scott, for the fourth- and fifth-graders in all of the schools. Tours are also available for smaller groups of students.

Q: How else is the Bedford Historical Society involved in the community?

A: BHS contributed the plaques that are mounted on the front of the town hall. One shows pictures of the three town halls that were on this site, including the current one; the other denotes that the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

BHS participates in community events like Olde Towne Day and the pre-Memorial Day parade and holds public, informative meetings several times each year. BHS is renovating the Stevens-Buswell School building to provide a community center for Bedford residents and has developed several programs for BCTV.

Q: Are there any plans to release an update to “History of Bedford 1737-1971”?

A: Currently, the BHS is using its resources and time to focus on the renovation of the Stevens-Buswell building. In the past, the BHS received funds from the town of Bedford for the publication of “History of Bedford 1737-1971” and the latest update, which was printed in 1999. There is a need to update the history, but it is a major project and will need several dedicated volunteers with interest/skills in historical research.

Q: Are there any plans to have the historical society’s museum open for regular hours instead of only by appointment?

A: The Kendall Shop Museum has been open by appointment and when members are working there. This summer, the museum will be open 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday mornings. Volunteers and new members are always welcome. This last year, the BHS was fortunate to have two students from Bedford High School who helped with cataloging and photographing artifacts.

Q: How can the community help the Bedford Historical Society further its mission?

A: The community can help support the BHS by becoming active members, by serving on committees, by attending programs that are offered, by helping with fundraising activities (i.e., for the 33-star flag restoration and the community center project), and by providing information and artifacts of significance to Bedford. In the past, Eagle Scouts have planned and carried out projects for our buildings.