When looking to get off campus, Tufts students often head to Somerville to experience the vibrant, bustling neighborhood of Davis Square. It’s easy to see why; it’s conveniently situated only a mile from campus, shuttles run to and from Davis Square and Tufts every day of the week and it’s often what first comes to mind for students looking to eat at a new restaurant or catch a show.
However, what’s lesser known to students is the charming, quaint and similarly rich Medford Square, located just over a mile from campus and easily accessible via the 96 bus. Though far less populated by Tufts students than Davis Square, Medford Square offers a variety of shops, markets and restaurants. Additionally, the square is filled to the brim with local history, containing the historic Salem Street Burying Ground, the landmark Chevalier Theatre and the Medford Historical Society & Museum that has been open since 1896. However, when talking with local residents, it is evident that one of Medford Square’s most defining features is its close-knit community.
Colleen’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop
Medford resident Billie Jean has been working at Colleen’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop for about five months, but she has lived in Medford her whole life. Billie Jean has been going to Colleen’s ever since it was known as Brigham’s Ice Cream Shop, before ownership was passed over to Colleen Hallisey in the 1990s. Billie Jean notes that Colleen’s is a staple of the Medford community.
“[Medford Square] always has a bunch of activities, especially in the summer, spring and fall, and Colleen’s is one of those [businesses] that’s a big part of the community. We help go volunteer for things, so it’s nice,” she said.
Junior Nora McCarey visits Medford Square occasionally and went to Colleen’s one night for ice cream with friends.
“Colleen’s had a very cute diner sort of feel,” she said. “There were other families in there as well, so that was wholesome to see. Sometimes I feel like, on campus, we get super trapped in our own bubbles just with college students.”
McCarey also recommended Colleen’s to Tufts students looking to get more bang for their buck.
“You definitely get more ice cream than at J.P. Licks for the same price,” she said.
Lighthouse Cafe
Another signature business in Medford Square is the Lighthouse Cafe, a diner that has been serving Medford residents for 25 years. Resident Gina Avellani has been working at the Lighthouse Cafe for eight years. Her family has been involved in businesses in Medford Square for decades: Her father owned a restaurant for 35 years and her uncle owned a fruit and vegetables store on Mystic Ave. for over 50 years. According to Avellani, the Lighthouse Cafe used to be an opera house in the late 1800s before being rebranded as several different restaurants, and it was even visited by Paul Revere.
Avellani cites Medford’s strong community and her own family roots as reasons for why she has remained in the town all these years.
“Everyone knows each other. It’s very close knit. Everybody helps each other out and everybody looks out for each other. It’s a great place to raise a family, and [for] education,” she said. “You can leave your front door open. You can walk down the street at [two] in the morning and you have nothing to worry about. It’s a very safe neighborhood.”
Ebisuya Japanese Market
One of Medford Square’s largest draws for many students is Ebisuya Japanese Market, a grocery store that also has an in-house sushi bar. First-year Annie Wu rode bikes with friends to Medford Square recently after discovering the market.
“We just rode past [Medford] Square to buy some food or some ingredients to cook dinner,” Wu said. “We drove past that area before, but I didn’t know they had a Japanese market there.”
Medford Historical Society & Museum
Focusing on Medford’s rich history is the Medford Historical Society & Museum, a museum in Medford Square with the mission to “collect, preserve, and promote an inclusive understanding of Medford’s history,” according to its website.
The Medford Historical Society & Museum is open every Sunday from 1–4 p.m. and features both a museum on the first floor and a research space on the second floor. This research space contains an expansive collection of research materials pertaining to the history of Medford, all of which are available to the public.
The museum also hosts monthly events, which range from poetry readings with free beer to exploring the history of the Salem Witch Trials. Their next event is on Dec. 3 and will feature archaeologist Suanna Selby Crowley to discuss the early archaeology of Medford and Greater Boston.
Liz Ammons, a former professor in the Tufts English department for 46 years, has been volunteering at the Medford Historical Society & Museum for a few years since retiring from a career in teaching. At Tufts, she specialized in American literature, environmental humanities and racial studies.
Ammons enjoys the public teaching aspect that comes along with her volunteer position. “It’s turned out to be a good opportunity, sort of an extension of teaching but to the public rather than to university classes,” she said.
Ammons highlights the breadth of the research materials available to the public at the Medford Historical Society & Museum.
“We have maps, we have documents, books, photographs. … A lot of our collection of research materials are digitalized, so you can go online. If you go to the Medford Historical Society Museum [website], you can find a lot of material and you can access it that way as well,” she said.
Although Davis Square and Medford Square are approximately the same distance from campus, several students noted Davis Square feeling closer and more accessible than Medford Square.
“I’ve maybe been once or twice, but I always go to Davis just because it’s so much closer. … I feel like [it’s] really only accessible by car, depending on where you live on campus,” junior Venice Cusumano said.
Wu agreed. “[Davis Square is] closer, and it has more sit down restaurants and shops … but there are definitely shops in Medford Square,” Wu said.
Students shared the same sentiment: Once they discovered Medford Square, they hoped to make the trip more often.
“I wish it was closer, because it felt like there were just so many more options,” Cusumano said. “I was like, this is amazing. There’s a Japanese market there. … Are you kidding? I wish I knew.”
McCarey agreed. “There are so many great things here, and it’s just as close as Davis Square. I don’t understand why no one ever goes over there,” she said. “It’s fun to walk around and get snacks and just explore a different area of Medford.”
