Our Town

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:

 

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.

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

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