Sharon McDonald Appointed Town Historian

By Meredith McCulloch

Sharon McDonald was appointed Town Historian by the Bedford Selectmen on December 8, filling a vacancy that occurred when John Dodge resigned after moving to another town. McDonald and Lee Yates, an archivist and former executive director of the Bedford Historical Society, had both applied for the position, but Yates withdrew her name prior to the Selectmen’s meeting. The Selectmen voted unanimously to appoint McDonald.

In her application, McDonald wrote, “History is part doing research, part keeping footnotes, part telling stories. I have told bits of Bedford‘s story to the MILES program at Middlesex Community College, and to groups at the local retirement centers Carleton Willard Village and Brightview – – and have done programs for the Bedford Historical Society on genealogy and on ‘Our Neighbor Job Lane.’ I have made a video of the flag for Bedford Television and was thrilled to introduce our flag to millions of viewers on ‘This Old House’ on PBS.”

McDonald is the author of a book about the Bedford Flag called The Bedford Flag Unfurled , which she carefully researched. Using her professional skills as a librarian, she has done genealogical research on families in Bedford and is one of a small group of people who know the story of each generation of Nathaniel Pages, and which one accompanied the Bedford Flag in 1775.

McDonald was the Children’s Librarian at the Bedford Free Public Library for over 40 years.  During that time she enjoyed showing the Bedford flag to visitors of all ages and especially to the third graders on their “Bedford History Tour” each spring.  She is active in the Bedford Historical Society and is a member of the Bedford Minuteman Company

When asked by Selectmen about her reason for seeking the position, McDonald described her love of Bedford and her eagerness to share its history. One project she has in mind is to write a book on Bedford’s history at the third grade reading level. She also hopes to document, probably in video, Bedford in 2015, preserving for the future how the historic homes and town celebrations look in that year.

When asked for her reaction to the appointment, McDonald responded, “What can I say? I’m just thrilled. I’ve dreamed about it for years.” She continues, “I’m honored to be following in the footsteps of previous Town Historians like Louise Brown, Ina and Larry Mansur, John Brown, and most recently John Dodge.”