Grand Reopening of Medway's Ide House, Oct. 3.

Medway Historical Society is hosting a Grand Re-Opening of the Medway Historical Museum. There are special exhibits: Military and Portraits by Anson Daniels. We will also be showcasing the items from the recently unearthed 1988 Time Capsule. Light refreshments will be served and there is a door prize. We hope to see you there!

The Ide House is located at 158 Main Street. Event will be held from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

Much of the following information comes from the Town of Medway website.

The historic Jacob Ide House, built around 1814-1815, has been preserved as a reminder of the town’s early 19th-century history and its connections to the abolitionist movement.

The Federal-style house was built by Malachi Bullard and became the longtime home of the Rev. Dr. Jacob Ide, pastor of the Second Church of Christ, also known as the Church on Rabbit Hill. Ide served the congregation for 51 years, from 1814 to 1865.

Ide was also an educator and outspoken opponent of slavery. He taught theology and reportedly prepared more than 40 men for the ministry. He and his wife, Mary Emmons Ide, lived in the house for decades. Ide died in 1880 at age 95.

The Town of Medway purchased the property in 2018 using Community Preservation Act funds, helping ensure the historic building would be protected.

More recently, the town and the Medway Historical Society undertook structural repairs and improvements needed to meet safety and accessibility requirements. The work was supported through Community Preservation funding.

The restored Jacob Ide House now serves as the permanent home of the Medway Historical Museum, providing space to preserve and interpret both Ide’s legacy and the broader history of the community.