Town History
Bedford is located in an area of New England rich in American history, 15 miles northwest of Boston, Massachusetts in Middlesex County. Our town was incorporated in 1729 and is host to what is claimed as the oldest battle flag in the United States on display at our town library (see the Bedford Free Public Library Bedford Flag page for more information).
Here are a few websites where you can find more Bedford History and additional resources:
- http://www.bedfordmahistory.org/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford,_Massachusetts
- http://www.huckinsfarm.com/history.html
Town Center
Most of the Bedford town buildings are located on Mudge Way, including the Police Department, the Town Offices, the Town Center (the yellow building, previously the Union School), the Library, the playground, some playing fields, a skateboard park, and the Bedford High School.
The Town Common is located in front of the First Parish Church (Unitarian Universalist) at 75 Great Road. The Town Common is the site for many concerts, fairs, and other events. Nearby, you’ll see the Fire Department at 55 Great Road. At 16 South Road near the Common, you’ll find the Old Town Hall (that hosts Bedford Center for the Arts and Bedford Community Access Television, as well as publicly rentable space). This area around Town Common is also known as Bedford Center.
Some Bedford Highlights
- Along the Great Road, there are posts commemorating the march of the Bedford Minutemen on April 19, 1775 as they headed toward Concord at the start of the American Revolution.
- The Town of Bedford owns more than 600 acres of conservation land. Fawn Lake and the Minuteman Bikeway are favorites.
- Springs Brook Park is the town-owned summer spot, with a filtered water swimming pond (featuring lap lanes, a dock, and a slide), a sandy beach, a sprinkler park, a playground, basketball, volleyball, and tetherball, and a picnic area. The Bedford Recreation Department oversees the Park and its Red Cross-certified swimming lessons.
- Try the Bedford Historical Scavenger Hunt.
- Visit Chip-in Farm at 201 Hartwell Road, a family-owned farm and old-fashioned general store. The farm sells its own eggs and produce.
- The Bedford Citizen publishes community based news online for access through their website, email/rss subscription, or their Facebook page.
- The weekly newspaper, The Bedford Minuteman, comes out every Thursday. It will help keep you up to date on Bedford news and events.
- The local community access television station, Bedford Community Access TV , has video programming by local people.
- The Bedford Historical Society , has some trail maps and ideas to get to know the town’s rich history.
Annual Events
April: Patriots Day Pole Capping parade and observance at Wilson Park (Bedford Minuteman Company, a historic re-enactors group)
May: First Parish annual Plant & Craft Fair (First Parish)
May: Memorial Day parade with civics groups and bands (Patriotic Holiday Committee)
June: Senior Prom Stroll
June: Strawberry Festival (First Church of Christ), PMC Bedford Kids Ride ( kids.pmc.org/Bedford)
Fourth of July: events at Springs Brook Park (Recreation dept.) and in town (Public Ceremonies Committee)
July: summer concert series on the Town Common every Thursday night (Public Ceremonies Committee/Recreation dept.)
September: Bedford Day Parade & Fair (Public Ceremonies Committee/Recreation dept.) The town’s actual birthday is September 23.
November: Bedford Unplugged (Bedford Youth & Family Services)
November: Veterans Day laying wreaths at Memorial Park (Patriotic Holiday Committee)
November: Flavors of Bedford (Chamber of Commerce)
December: annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on the Town Common (Public Ceremonies Committee/Recreation Dept.)
December: Holiday House Tour (Chamber of Commerce)
December 24: Bedford Santa
Getting Around
- Bedford Local Transit (BLT)
- MBTA(Massachusetts Bay Transportation Association)
- Bus 62 (Bedford VA Hospital/Alewife Station)
- Commuter Rail from Anderson RTC/Woburn, Lincoln, Concord, etc.
- Massport (Massachusetts, airports, bridges, ports)