Medford non-profit looks to commemorate Revolutionary War heroine

By Saoirse Stallings

Medford annually celebrates Patriots’ Day and Memorial Day, but a new historic holiday was created in 2021 to honor Sarah Bradlee Fulton, the city’s own war heroine.

Although the day is celebrated annually on Oct. 18, Laura Duggan, founder of Looking Back at Medford History Inc., works hard to keep these figures alive, in spirit and in costume year round.

Duggan hosts a podcast on local Medford TV and has directed and acted in numerous plays over the years, some even on Fulton’s efforts during the Revolutionary War.

“My part is to have people look to the past to inspire them for the future,” said Duggan.

The idea for the holiday was first pitched to the Medford City Council by Duggan, in costume as Fulton. Fulton acted as a spy for George Washington, carrying dispatches into British-occupied Boston and helping disguise patriots before the Boston Tea Party, earning her the nickname “The Mother of the Boston Tea Party.”

“Before I started the nonprofit, since I was a re-enactor, I got an outfit, dressed like her, and I figured that we needed a statue of her,” Duggan said. “First, we needed a day, but we needed not just her, but Medford history in general.”

After a unanimous vote on June 8, 2021, the first Sarah Bradlee Fulton Day was held that same October at the Salem Street Burying Ground, where Fulton is buried. Descendant Brenda Ely Albus was in attendance.

Through the next few years, the interest in Medford history grew. Eventually, Duggan founded a 501c3 nonprofit in June 2022 called Looking Back at Medford History Inc., and brought on seven board members.

Bob Hyldburg, the organization’s vice president, has a deep background in history. He has written multiple books, one of the most notable is “Total Patriots,” an expansive encyclopedia for any New England Patriots history buff.

Hyldburg’s job as the vice president includes outreach for the non-profit, with creating content and raising awareness for the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary of George Washington taking control of the Continental Army.

Just recently, Hyldburg and Duggan were featured in a YouTube video titled “Paul Revere’s First Stop” where they re-enacted their roles as Capt. Isaac Hall and his wife during Patriots’ Day.

The non-profit boasts its local pride. This year’s Patriots’ Day program slogan was “Revere’s Ride, Medford Pride,” which was coined by Hyldburg.

“It’s all about education, storytelling, and bringing the emotion; bringing it to life,” said Hyldburg.

Patriots’ Day at Medford’s Isaac Hall House, held this year on April 21, usually includes Hyldburg either re-enacting the role of Hall or the Marquis de Lafayette while Duggan fills in as either Sarah Bradlee Fulton or Mrs. Hall.

Looking Back at Medford History Inc. is currently campaigning for a bronze statue of Sarah Bradlee Fulton to be placed in front of Medford City Hall. This tribute will help the remembrance of her actions and raise awareness for women who were a part of the American Revolution.

“There’s not many statues for women across the country and never mind in Massachusetts.” said Hyldburg.

To support the statue initiative, the group is hosting a SBF Statue Fundraiser on Wednesday, May 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library, 111 High St., in Bonsignore Hall.

The evening will feature renowned historian and author Anthony Sammarco, a silent auction, and refreshments.

For more about the nonprofit’s mission, upcoming events, and how to donate to the Sarah Bradlee Fulton statue, visit: www.lookingbackatmedfordhistory.com.

Saoirse Stallings is a student at Endicott College studying Journalism. This story was produced for the Massachusetts News Service of Endicott College in partnership with Gotta Know Medford.