Dedham, Massachusetts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dedham, Massachusetts
Town
Town of Dedham
The Ames Schoolhouse, Dedham's Town Hall
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  Contentment
Location of Dedham in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Norfolk
Settled	1635
Incorporated	1636
Named for	Dedham, Essex
Government
• Type	Representative town meeting
Area
• Total	10.6 sq mi (27.6 km2)
• Land	10.5 sq mi (27.1 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Elevation	120 ft (37 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	25,364
• Density	2,415.62/sq mi (935.94/km2)
Ethnicity
• White alone	79.4%
• Black or African American alone	6.24%
• American Indian and Alaska Native alone	0.23%
• Asian	3.79%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone	0.02%
• Some Other Race alone	0.3%
• Two or more races	6.45%
Hispanic or Latino
• Hispanic or Latino	8.38%
• Not Hispanic or Latino	91.62%
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP code	02026 (02027 for P.O. Boxes)
Area code(s)	781 / 339
FIPS code	25-16495
GNIS feature ID	0618318
Website	http://www.dedham-ma.gov

Dedham (/ˈdɛdəm/ DED-əm) is a town in Massachusetts, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Norfolk County. Dedham is located right next to Boston's southwestern border. In 2020, about 25,364 people lived there.

English settlers first arrived in Dedham in 1635. The town was officially formed in 1636. Dedham is famous for starting America's first public school in 1643. It is also home to the Fairbanks House. This is the oldest wooden house in the United States that is still standing. In 1639, the first man-made canal in North America, called Mother Brook, was built in Dedham.

Dedham played a big part in the American Revolution. It had a "Liberty Pole" in the late 1700s. A legal case about a church split, called The Dedham Case, helped shape the idea of separation of church and state in the U.S. In 1921, a famous trial, the Sacco and Vanzetti trial, happened in the Norfolk County Courthouse here. Dedham is sometimes called the "mother of towns." This is because 14 towns we know today were once part of its original large area.

Dedham is run by a representative town meeting. A group called the select board chooses the town manager. The town also has many other boards and committees. You can get around Dedham using the MBTA commuter train and bus services. The Dedham Public Schools system has seven schools. There are also several private schools in the town.

Exploring Dedham's Past

Early Days: The 1600s

Dedham was settled in 1635 by people from nearby towns. It became an official town in 1636. Later, in 1793, it became the main town for Norfolk County. When the town was first formed, people wanted to call it "Contentment." But the government decided to name it after Dedham, Essex in England. This is where some of the first settlers came from. At that time, Dedham's borders reached all the way to Rhode Island.

On August 15, 1636, eighteen men signed an agreement for the town. They promised to live peacefully and help each other. They also agreed to only welcome people who shared their beliefs. This was to help everyone learn and grow together. If problems came up, they would solve them fairly. Everyone would also pay their share for the good of the town.

Dedham is home to the Fairbanks House. This house was built around 1637. It is the oldest wooden house in the United States that is still standing. On January 1, 1643, Dedham made history. The town voted to create the first public school paid for by taxes. This was a big step for education in America. The first teacher, Rev. Ralph Wheelock, was paid 20 pounds a year. He taught the young people of the town. Many students from this school later became leaders at famous universities.

The first man-made canal in North America was built in Dedham in 1639. It is called Mother Brook. This canal connected the Charles River to the Neponset River. Even though both rivers move slowly, they are at different heights. This height difference made the canal's water flow fast. This fast current was used to power many local mills.

The 1700s: Growth and Change

In the early 1700s, some people living north of the Charles River wanted to form their own town. They felt Dedham wasn't providing enough schools and churches. Dedham agreed that services were lacking. So, the new town of Needham was created. Even after the split, people who stayed in Dedham still had rights to some land in Needham.

In 1798, a man named David Brown led a protest in Dedham. They put up a "liberty pole" to show their unhappiness with the government. This was similar to protests before the American Revolution. The pole had messages against new laws and leaders. Brown was arrested and fined. He was also sent to prison. This was a very strict punishment at the time.

The 1800s: New Ideas and Buildings

In 1818, Dedham helped set an important example. This was for the separation of church and state. Even though people still paid taxes to support ministers, the town chose a different minister than the church members. A court supported the town's choice. This decision helped lead to churches becoming separate from the government.

The beautiful Endicott Estate burned down in 1904. This happened because the local fire department was busy with three fires at once. By the time they reached the estate, it was too late. The owner, Henry Bradford Endicott, decided to rebuild it. The new Endicott Estate is now a historic place. It is open to the public for educational and community events.

The 1900s: Famous Events and Crafts

In 1921, the well-known Sacco and Vanzetti trial took place in the Norfolk County Courthouse in Dedham. Dedham is also known for its special Dedham Pottery. This pottery has a unique crackle finish and is blue and white. It often features rabbits and other animals. Dedham is sometimes called the "mother of towns." This is because 14 towns that exist today were once part of its original large area.

The 2000s: Modern Updates

In March 2023, Dedham opened a new public safety building. This large building is 84,000 square feet. It brings together the town's fire, police, and dispatch departments. It is located where the old Town Hall used to be.

Dedham's Location and Neighborhoods

Where is Dedham?

Dedham is located at 42.244609 degrees north and -71.165531 degrees west. To the northwest, it shares a border with Needham. To the southwest, it borders Westwood. To the southeast, it is next to Canton.

A small metal marker in a granite block shows Dedham's elevation. It is about 112 feet above sea level. The town covers about 10.6 square miles. Most of this (10.4 square miles) is land. The rest (0.2 square miles) is water.

Exploring Dedham's Neighborhoods

Dedham has many different neighborhoods:

• Oakdale is in the middle of town. It is roughly bordered by East Street, Cedar Street, and Whiting Avenue.
  • Many homes on Woodleigh Road were designed by Henry Bailey Alden. He also designed the Endicott Estate.
  • The area with Morse Avenue, Fulton Street, and Edison Avenue is called Whiting Park.
• Riverdale is like an island. It is surrounded by the Charles River and Long Ditch.
• Greenlodge is along Greenlodge Street. It was once called the "Peanut Butter Valley." This was because people joked that after buying expensive homes, they could only afford peanut butter sandwiches!
• The Manor is the neighborhood south of Sprague Street.
• East Dedham is located between Mother Brook and the Boston line.
• Precinct One, also known as Upper Dedham, is in the northwest corner of town. It is near the Westwood and Needham borders.
• Ashcroft is the neighborhood between Cedar Street and Sprague Street. It includes Paul Park.
  • The undeveloped land between Beech Street and Turner Street is called Ogden's Woods.
• Fairbanks is the neighborhood between East Street and Wigwam Pond.

Dedham's Weather

Dedham has a climate with warm summers. It has high humidity and precipitation (rain and snow) all year long.

People of Dedham

In 2000, Dedham had 23,464 people living there. There were 8,654 households, with 6,144 being families. The town had about 2,244 people per square mile.

About 94.5% of the people were White. About 1.5% were Black or African American. About 1.9% were Asian. Other groups made up smaller percentages. About 2.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino. Today, many people in Dedham have Irish or Italian family backgrounds. They are often descendants of those who came to work in the mills along Mother Brook. The largest religious group in Dedham is Catholics.

About 30% of households had children under 18. More than half (56.3%) were married couples. About 11% were single mothers. The average household had 2.61 people. The average family had 3.14 people.

The median age in Dedham was 40 years old. About 22% of the population was under 18. About 16.6% were 65 or older. The median income for a household was $61,699. For a family, it was $72,330. About 4.6% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Religious Groups in Dedham

Dedham has many places of worship. Here is a look at how religious groups have changed over time:

Dedham's Symbols: Seal and Flag

The town's official seal was designed by a member of the Dedham Historical Society. In the middle of the seal is a picture of the old Avery Oak tree. When this tree finally fell, the gavel used by the Moderator at town meetings was made from its wood. Above the tree are the scales of justice. These show that Dedham is the county seat and has courts.

To the left of the tree are tools used for farming. To the right is a factory. These show Dedham's history. It was first a town of farmers. Then, it became a town with many mills and factories, especially along Mother Brook. Below the tree is a banner with the word "Contentment." This was the name the first settlers wanted for the town.

The town flag is red. The town seal is big and in the center of the flag. In the bottom left corner, there is a part of the Avery Oak tree. In the bottom right, there is a part of the Fairbanks House. This flag hangs in the select board's meeting room at town hall. It also hangs in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House.

Dedham on Screen: TV and Movies

Dedham District Court

Dedham has been a filming location for both television shows and movies.

• The 1919 silent film Anne of Green Gables was filmed in Dedham.
• The 1973 movie The Friends of Eddie Coyle was partly filmed here.
• In the 1980s, the Endicott Estate was seen in an episode of Spenser: For Hire.
• The 1982 film Pieces also included scenes from Dedham Square.
• The Endicott Estate was also featured in the 2000 movie The Perfect Storm.
• The award-winning 2000 film State and Main was filmed in Dedham.
• In a 2004 episode of The Practice, the character Alan Shore grew up in Dedham. The show also mentioned the Sacco and Vanzetti trial.
• The 2010 thriller Shutter Island was partly filmed in Dedham.
• The 2014 film The Judge was partly filmed in Dedham Square.
• Kathryn Bigelow's 2017 film, Detroit, used the Dedham District Court for filming.
• The movie I Care a Lot was filmed at the Norfolk County Courthouse and Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.

Getting Around Dedham

Transportation in Dedham

You can take a commuter train from Boston's South Station to Dedham. The MBTA train stops at [[{{{station}}} (MBTA station)|{{{station}}}]] and [[{{{station}}} (MBTA station)|{{{station}}}]]. These stops are on the Franklin/Foxboro Line.

There are also MBTA bus routes. Route 34 goes from Dedham Square to Forest Hills. Route 34E goes from Walpole Center to Forest Hills. Route 35 goes from Dedham Mall to Forest Hills. These bus routes serve different parts of Dedham.

Police and Fire Services

Public Safety complex

In March 2023, Dedham opened a new public safety complex. This large building is 84,000 square feet. It is located at 26 Bryant Street, where the old Town Hall used to be. This complex brings together the town's fire, police, and dispatch departments. It replaced the older police station (built in 1962) and fire station (built in 1952).

Learning in Dedham

Public Schools in Dedham

The Dedham Public Schools system runs seven schools. Dedham is famous for being the first place to have a public school system paid for by taxes. This idea is now used all over the country.

• Dedham High School
• Dedham Middle School
• Avery Elementary School
• Oakdale Elementary School
• Greenlodge Elementary School
• Riverdale Elementary School
• Dr. Thomas J. Curren Early Childhood Education Center

Private Schools in Dedham

Dedham also has several private schools:

• Noble and Greenough School: A private school for students in grades 7–12.
• Dedham Country Day School: A private school for students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade.
• Ursuline Academy: A private high school for young women in grades 7–12.
• The Rashi School: A Jewish elementary and middle school.
• Little Sprouts Early Education and Childcare: A preschool and kindergarten.
• Regina Caeli Academy: Based at St. Mary's Church.

Former Schools in Dedham

Some schools in Dedham have closed over the years:

• Ames School: An old public elementary school.
• Charles J. Capen School: Operated from 1931 to 1981.
• St. Mary of the Assumption School: A Catholic elementary school that closed in 1975.
• The Quincy School: A public elementary school that closed in 1982.
• The Dexter School: Now a private preschool called Little Sprouts Early Education and Childcare.

Higher Education in Dedham

• Queen of Apostles Seminary: A former Catholic seminary that closed in the late 1960s.
• Northeastern University Dedham Campus: A branch campus located in the old Queen of Apostles Seminary building.

Places of Worship in Dedham

Churches in Dedham

First Church and Parish

St. Paul's Episcopal

Allin Congregational

Former First Church of Christ, Scientist

Dedham has many different churches and places of worship:

Some places of worship in Dedham have closed or moved:

Fun Places to Visit in Dedham

Mill Pond Park

Dedham has many interesting places to see and visit:

• Organizations
  • Dedham Historical Society and Museum: Learn about Dedham's past.
  • Dedham Public Library: A great place to find books and learn.
  • Christmas light display at the Civitarese-Cushman House: A festive sight during the holidays.
• Businesses and Shopping
  • Dedham Health and Athletic Complex: A place for sports and fitness.
  • Legacy Place: An outdoor shopping center with stores and restaurants.
  • Moseley's on the Charles: The oldest ballroom in the country that is still open.
• Historic Areas
  • Dedham Village Historic District
  • Connecticut Corner District
  • Federal Hill District
• Buildings to See
  • 19 Court Street: A building with a long history and many uses.
  • 369 Washington Street: The Knights of Columbus building.
  • 601-603 High Street: A commercial building in Dedham Square.
  • East Dedham Firehouse: Possibly the oldest wooden fire station still used in the U.S. It was built in 1855.
  • Ames Schoolhouse: A school built in 1897, now Dedham's town hall and senior center.
  • Endicott Estate: A beautiful historic estate.
  • Fairbanks House: The oldest wooden house in the United States.
  • MIT Endicott House: A conference center.
  • Norfolk County Correctional Center: A jail located in the middle of Route 128.
  • Old Norfolk County Jail: A historic former jail.
• Cemeteries
  • Baby Cemetery
  • Brookdale Cemetery
  • Fairview Cemetery
  • Old Village Cemetery
  • Boston United Hand in Hand Cemetery: Located on Lower East Street. It dates back to 1875.

Famous People from Dedham

Many notable people have connections to Dedham:

Sports Stars

• Buck Danner: A baseball infielder.
• Pete Hamilton: A NASCAR race car driver.
• Bill Hunnefield: A baseball infielder for several teams.
• John Frederick Kiley: A baseball outfielder.
• Lefty Mills: An early American one-armed baseball player.
• Sarah Parsons: A member of the 2006 Winter Olympics women's hockey team.
• Freddy Roach: A professional boxer.
• Warren Cummings Smith: An alpine skier in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Artists and Writers

• Louisa May Alcott: Author of Little Women, who lived and worked in Dedham for a short time.
• Tim Costello: A labor advocate and author.
• Jacques d'Amboise: A famous ballet dancer and choreographer.
• George Derby: A humorist.
• Alvan Fisher: An artist.
• Reuben Guild: A librarian and author.
• Lilian Westcott Hale: An artist.
• Henry Hitchings: A landscape painter.
• Connie Hines: A television actress.
• Peter H. Reynolds: A children's author and illustrator.
• Anita Shreve: An author.
• Richard Trethewey: A plumber on the TV show This Old House.

Military Heroes

• John Andrew Barnes, III: A war hero and Medal of Honor recipient.
• Ebenezer Battelle: A veteran of the Revolutionary War.
• Leon A. Edney: A former top commander in the NATO Atlantic Forces.
• William B. Gould: A formerly enslaved Union Navy sailor.
• James William Augustus Nicholson: A Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy.
• Thomas Sherwin: A General in the Civil War.
• Stephen Minot Weld Jr.: A Civil War hero.

Religious Figures

• Eliphalet Adams: A clergyman and missionary.
• John Allin: An important early settler and signer of the Dedham Covenant.
• Charles A. Finn: The oldest Catholic priest in the United States.

Other Notable People

Nathaniel Ames House

• Weaver W. Adams: A chess master.
• Nathaniel Ames: An almanac-maker and physician.
• Faxon Atherton: A businessman.
• Jonathan Fairbanks: The builder of the Fairbanks House.
• Temple Grandin: A professor of animal science, inventor, and autism advocate.
• Samuel Foster Haven: An archaeologist and anthropologist.
• Eli Sagan: A clothing manufacturer, writer, and political activist.
• Tommy Vietor: A former National Security Council spokesperson and podcast host.

Images for kids

• Norfolk County Correctional Center.jpg

  The Norfolk County Correctional Center in Dedham.