Information submitted by Selectman Mike Rosenberg, Wilson Mill Planning Committee liaison
The Wilson Mill Park ribbon cutting and the dedication of the dam bridge to the late Selectman Gordon Feltman is planned for Saturday, May 18, at 2:00 pm at Wilson Mill Park with a rain date of Sunday, May 19, at 2:00 pm.
Don Corey, from the Bedford Historic Preservation Commission, will provide a brief overview of the history and importance of this site, event attendees will be given a tour, and information about animals and plants that can be found in the Park will be provided.
The Bedford Selectmen will ceremonially “cut the ribbon” on the restored Park and present the dedication to Gordon Feltman’s family, who are expected to attend. A plaque will be placed near the bridge in Feltman’s honor, and a park bench will be dedicated to the late Mimi Adler, a well-known Bedford naturalist. An additional plaque will commemorate Adler’s contributions to the health and well-being of Bedford’s wildlife and native flora.
Following the ceremony, light refreshments will be served. Parking on the site is extremely limited so visitors are encouraged to carpool or walk. Parking on neighboring streets, rather than at the site itself, is recommended.
Chronological History of Wilson Mill Park
1683–Citizens of Billerica vote in favor of the construction of a road to John Wilson’s mill. It is not known how long the mill had been in operation prior to the vote. It may have begun as a sawmill, but in 1685 it is recorded as a ‘corne mill’ (corn in this period is the general term for grain).
1694–Wilson Road is constructed, leading from the property of Michael Bacon across the Shawsheen River southeast to John Wilson’s mill, then up the hill toward the town of Lexington.
1729–John Wilson deeds one-half interest each in the sawmill and grist mill at Vine Brook to his sons Samuel and Francis.
1734–John Wilson dies; Samuel Wilson takes on operation of both mills. (His brother Francis was recorded as a weaver and apparently did not participate in the operation of the mills.) After their deaths, their estates, including shares in the mill, are divided among their heirs.
1777–William Maxwell and Rebecca Wilson (mother and son) sell the mills to Oliver Bacon, a Lexington shoemaker. He operates the mills in partnership with the miller Jonas Gleason, who acquires sole ownership in 1793.
1815-1839–The mill property passes through several owners until acquired by the Blodgett
family.
1839–The property is sold to George Crosby, by which time the deed lists a cider mill as well as a sawmill and a gristmill.
1840–A paper mill is built on the site of the old Wilson corn mill by James Smith Munroe. The mill became a major employer in Bedford.
1846–The paper mill is destroyed in a fire.
1847–William Ashby, an English immigrant, buys the old mill site and builds a new mill to manufacture blinds and sashes, but sells out the following year.
1878-1889–The mill belongs to the Henry Staples. It is principally a sawmill, but may also have been producing felt.
1906–The mill is listed in the county atlas as the property of the Wilson Mill Company.
1921–The mill and its land are assessed for $1,200, charged to Joseph H. Williams and others. Williams was still living in Bedford in 1931, but he was then employed in Boston. The mill apparently ceased production during the 20’s, and its last product is believed to have been cider. The date and circumstances of the demolition of the mill are unknown.
1940’s–There is substantial residential construction to the south and west of mill site.
1950/60’s–The construction of US Route 3 and Route 62 North greatly reduces the size of the original mill pond and alters surrounding roadways.
1999–The Town of Bedford acquires an important parcel of land flanking its holdings at the Wilson Mill site. The parcel encompasses 13,285 square feet on Old Burlington Road immediately southwest of the mill site, sold to the town by the heirs of the John and Sophie DeVincent of Waltham. The DeVincent family developed the Whispering Pines subdivision on the south side of the mill pond, across Old Burlington Road from the parcel sold to the town.
2000–The Town of Bedford acquires a second important four-acre parcel of land located on Old Burlington Road. This property includes the entire northerly half of the mill pond along with considerable frontage on Burlington Road/Route 62. The town acquires the property from the Zion Alliance Church of Boston of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
2001–The Historic Preservation Commission of the Town of Bedford applies for and receives a Historic Landscape Preservation Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management to provide matching funds for preparing a National Register district nomination for the area, as well as a landscaping and public use plan for the mill site. The goals of the project are to provide permanent protection for the site, enhance the site’s appearance, and promote general public appreciation and utilization.
2003–The Wilson Mill-Old Burlington Road District in Bedford, Massachusetts is added to The National Register of Historic Places.
2003–The Town of Bedford’s Board of Selectmen approves the formation of the Wilson Mill Park Planning Committee.
2013–The new dam is constructed in Wilson Mill Park and Park restoration and beautification work are completed.
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