Medford, Massachusetts-The Jingle Bell City
The Jingle Bell Festival is in its 25th year! Thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, this year's festival promises to be a community celebration that continues to provide needed resources to local charitable organizations.
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About the Song
"Jingle Bells," the now world famous holiday tune, was composed at the Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts in 1850 by James Pierpont (1822-1893). The tavern stood at the site which is now 19 High Street in Medford Square. The song was composed in the presence of Mrs. Otis Waterman, who later verified the location of the song's composition. In 1857, James Pierpont, while living in Georgia, copyrighted "Jingle Bells." The lyrics of the song tell of the sleigh rides held on Salem Street in the early 1800s.
Source: Medford Historical Society-1988
