Dedham MA
AboutDEDHAM
Dedham, Massachusetts, is a town of about 26,000 residents located approximately 10 miles southwest of Boston along the Charles River in Norfolk County. Settled in 1635 and incorporated in 1636, Dedham is one of the oldest inland settlements in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and serves as the county seat of Norfolk County. The town offers convenient access to Route 1, Route 128, and Interstate 95, along with a historic Dedham Square and the retail and dining destination of Legacy Place. Dedham provides a mix of colonial history and modern suburban convenience, with direct MBTA Commuter Rail access to Boston's South Station.
DEDHAM
history
Dedham was settled in 1635 by colonists from Watertown and Roxbury and was officially incorporated as a town in 1636, making it one of the first two inland settlements in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, alongside Concord. Named for Dedham, Essex, England, the town's original land grant was vast, and Dedham eventually became the parent of more than a dozen surrounding towns, earning it the nickname "Mother of Towns." The Fairbanks House, built around 1637, is recognized as the oldest surviving timber-frame structure in North America. In 1644, Dedham established the first tax-supported public school in the country, a foundational moment in American public education. Dedham became the seat of Norfolk County in 1793, and its Norfolk County Courthouse later gained national attention as the site of the 1921 Sacco and Vanzetti trial.
More about DEDHAM
Dedham Square remains the town's historic heart, with the Dedham Historical Society and Museum, Dedham Community Theatre, and a mix of independent restaurants and shops clustered around the intersection of Washington and High streets. Legacy Place, an open-air retail and dining destination that opened in 2009, has become a major draw for shopping, entertainment, and dining just a few miles from the town center. Outdoor recreation is well represented too, from the hiking trails and Boston skyline views at Wilson Mountain Reservation to the paths along the Charles River Greenway. Between its historic landmarks, modern retail, and easy access to Boston, Dedham continues to draw residents looking for small-town character close to the city.
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