Hall of Heroes, Which Memorializes Milford Service Members Killed
in Time of War, Moved to New Location in Town Hall to Ensure
Easy and Open Viewing Access to All
Milford’s Hall of Heroes, a collection of photographs and biographies of Milford residents who served in the United States military and died while serving our country in a time of war, was recently installed in Milford Town Hall on the walls of the lower level.
The Hall of Heroes was originally created as a second-grade project conducted in 2000 under the guidance of Jo-Ann De Maria Morgan, who taught at Memorial Elementary from 1976 to 2006. Upon completion of the students’ research, the biographies were typed, framed, and hung with accompanying photographs in the foyer of Memorial Elementary School. As security in public schools has tightened over the years, access to the collection has been restricted. To provide easy access for all Milford residents and members of the service members’ families who visit from out of town, the Milford Medal of Liberty committee sought a new home for the collection. The committee also reprinted the biographies and photographs and then reframed the collection to ensure its longevity.
Regarding the move to Town Hall, De Maria Morgan states, “It is both satisfying and heartwarming that this project continues to be preserved twenty years later so that the work of these students will continue to be a part of Milford’s rich history. I always impressed upon my students that ‘Freedom is never free.’”
The committee invites all area residents to visit Milford Town Hall and see the collection during normal business hours. Direct access is provided from the Court Street entrance. A dedication ceremony will be planned for a future date.
The committee expresses its sincerest gratitude to the Milford Select Board for their enthusiastic acceptance of the move to Town Hall. In addition, the committee wishes to thank Facilities Coordinator Carlos Benjamin and local carpenters Kirk Crawford and Preston (Buck) Crawford, who all worked together to install the Hall of Heroes in its new location. The Crawford family is a Medal of Liberty recipient, and they were eager to donate their time to help with this project.
Milford Town Hall is located at 52 Main Street in Milford, Massachusetts. Parking is available in two lots adjacent to Town Hall, as well as on neighborhood streets.
