Tufts students are no strangers to exploration — almost half of undergraduates study abroad during their time as Jumbos, and the recent announcement about the weekend closing of the Davis T stop will strike a nerve with the sizeable population of Boston−bound Tufts explorers. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority won't finish their weekend construction on the Red Line until March, allowing students to consider other options for fun and adventure in a city right outside Tufts' gates: Medford.
With just over 56,000 residents, the City of Medford is home to a large part of the Tufts campus and is a geographically integral part of the Hill. Somerville, however, is often the first and more popular choice for students when it comes to going off campus.
"I think that probably 90 percent of the time I go into Somerville [or] Boston. I guess most Tufts students could attest to that," senior Eric Sinski said.
Students flock to popular Somerville mainstay Davis Square for their morning cup of Starbucks, their favorite J.P. Licks flavors or the perfect outfit from Buffalo Exchange. Many make a stop in Davis to catch the T for a day−trip to Boston or an evening out in Cambridge. Rarely, however, do students wine, dine or explore the offerings of Medford, leaving it mysterious to most undergraduates.
"It seems to me very suburban and not much for college students to do there, to be honest, which is why I like Somerville better," Sinski said.
"Medford is very different [from Somerville] but also has a lot to offer," Tufts Director of Community Relations Barbara Rubel explained. "There are all these sorts of interconnections with the history of Medford and the university that are, I think, really interesting, and it's really close — you don't have to travel to the other side of the city."
Perhaps one unique aspect of this largely suburban town is its strong historical roots, many of which are found on the Medford side of campus.
"Two blocks past the gym [is] the Royall House, which is a very historically significant property and has an auxiliary building that [was] a slave quarters," Rubel explained.
"There is a real connection between that and the Stearns Estate (where Gantcher Center now sits). There was a man named Luther Stearns who first owned that land, and he was a very active abolitionist and maintained a stop on the Underground Railroad," she added.
Medford's distinct historical prominence makes it a unique town with its own special character.
While traveling by car is one form of transportation to Medford, there are many other options for students who prefer to leave the wheels at home. Medford Square, for example, just a 20−minute walk away.
For those students who would like to experience Medford while staying closer to home, Boston Avenue is practically on campus and accessible by bike or foot. Also, on those brutal winter days or for less athletically−inclined students, the MBTA runs buses to and from Medford on a frequent schedule. Students can hop on the 94 bus at various locations, stretching from the Davis Square Busway to Medford Square.
A short trip to Medford Square can result in a bite to eat, a cup of coffee or simply a walk around on a beautiful day and take in the charming square. For an off−campus dining experience, Blue Fuji on Salem Street and Salvatore's Restaurant on High Street present intriguing options. The Lighthouse Cafe, also on High Street, is the perfect spot for a great breakfast or a cup of coffee.
Medford offers a range of natural landmarks, including the Mystic Lakes that sit right off Route 16.
Whether it's going to a local tailor or buying groceries at the Whole Foods on Mystic Valley Parkway, the town can accommodate a plethora of everyday needs.
"I went into Medford for Rocco's Shoe Repair, which is really good," freshman Brenda Lee said. "The guy was not Rocco when I walked in, but he repaired my shoes anyway," she joked. "They were really cheap and it wasn't hard to get there."
One Medford standout spot outside of the square is The Chevalier Theater, which functions as both a historical landmark and a working movie theater. Seating over 2,000 people and located on Forest Street, the theater often hosts musical productions, plays, concerts and even movie screenings — a great cultural resource for students.
With a historically significant past and strong current presence, Medford has a lot to offer to Tufts students, a fact that often gets lost among them.
"I sometimes am reminded that we should be finding ways to make students aware of the resources and assets that Medford has as well," Rubel said. "Medford is a very interesting city."
