Tewksbury, Massachusetts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Town
Tewksbury Hospital, Old Administration Building
Flag Seal
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Middlesex
Settled	1637
Incorporated	1734
Government
• Type	Open town meeting
Area
• Total	21.1 sq mi (54.5 km2)
• Land	20.7 sq mi (53.7 km2)
• Water	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km2)
Elevation	126 ft (38 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	31,342
• Density	1,485/sq mi (575.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code	01876
Area code(s)	978/351
FIPS code	25-69415
GNIS feature ID	0618238
Website	www.tewksbury-ma.gov

Tewksbury is a friendly town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It's a place with a rich history and a welcoming community. As of 2020, about 31,342 people call Tewksbury home.

A Look Back in Time

Tewksbury was first settled way back in 1637. It officially became its own town on December 17, 1734. Before that, it was part of Billerica. The people living there felt they were too far from the center of Billerica, so they decided to form their own town.

There's no clear proof that Tewksbury got its name from Tewkesbury, England. However, the two places have stayed connected through a group called the Twinning Committee. Tewksbury also used to own a part of Lowell. This area was known as Belvidere, located where the Merrimack River and Concord River meet.

Early Settlements and Rivers

One of the oldest parts of Tewksbury is near the Shawsheen River. The Shawshin tribe settled here long ago. The river was a great source of food for them, especially for fishing.

A Presidential Visit

Tewksbury also had a special visitor in its history. President Andrew Jackson once stopped at a local spot called Brown's Tavern.

The Great Tornado of 1857

On July 24, 1857, a very strong tornado hit Tewksbury. It started as a small water spout at Round Pond. The tornado then moved west and southeast towards the Shawsheen River. It finally disappeared near North Wilmington.

The storm caused a lot of damage. Many corn fields and fruit orchards were badly hurt. One house even lost its roof. The tornado was strong enough to flatten barns and sheds. It also pulled up large trees by their roots. Sadly, a team of oxen was swept away and killed. Because not many people lived in the area, and homes were built on higher ground, no one was killed. Only a few people were injured.

Where is Tewksbury?

Tewksbury is part of the larger Greater Boston area. It's about 19 miles (30 km) north-northwest of Boston. You can reach it using major highways like I-93 and I-495.

The town covers about 21.1 square miles (54.5 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 20.7 square miles (53.7 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.3 square miles (0.9 square kilometers), is water.

Rivers and Borders

The Merrimack River forms part of Tewksbury's northern edge. The Shawsheen River also flows through the southern part of the town.

Tewksbury shares its borders with several other towns and cities:

• Lowell to the northwest
• Dracut to the north (across the Merrimack River)
• Andover to the northeast
• Wilmington to the southeast
• Billerica to the southwest

The Concord River also borders Tewksbury to the southwest. The town of Chelmsford is located on the other side of this river.

Tewksbury's Weather

In Tewksbury, temperatures usually drop below 50°F (10°C) for about 195 days each year. The town gets a lot of rain, about 44.6 inches (113 cm) per year. This is considered high for the United States. Snow covers the ground for about 62 days each year, which is about 17% of the year. You can imagine it like having nine straight days of moderate rain every year. The air is usually not too humid, with humidity below 60% for about 25.4 days a year.

Getting Around Tewksbury

Public transportation helps people get around Tewksbury. The LRTA 12 bus connects Tewksbury to Lowell and Wilmington. These towns have stops on the MBTA Commuter Rail Lowell Line, which can take you to Boston.

In 2017, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker visited Tewksbury. He highlighted the money spent on improving roads, bridges, and sidewalks in the state.

Tewksbury used to have an airport called Tew-Mac Airport. It closed in 1997. Now, where the airport once stood, you'll find condominiums and a country club.

Population Over Time

Tewksbury has grown quite a bit over the years! In 1850, there were just over 1,000 people living here. By 1960, the population had jumped to nearly 16,000. The most recent count in 2020 showed that 31,342 people live in Tewksbury.

In 2000, there were about 28,851 people in Tewksbury. About 25% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age in town was 38 years.

Tewksbury Hospital

Tewksbury Hospital is a large hospital located in town. It's owned by the state. It was first built in the mid-1800s as a place for people who needed help. Today, it has over 900 acres (3.6 square kilometers) of open space.

The hospital is home to different health departments. They offer many programs, including those for addiction and other health issues.

A Famous Connection

Anne Sullivan, who was Helen Keller's famous teacher, spent some time at Tewksbury Hospital when she was younger. She was there before she went to live with the Keller family. Sadly, her younger brother, James, passed away at the hospital during her time there.

Tewksbury Hospital in Movies

Tewksbury Hospital and the Public Health Museum have been featured in TV shows. They appeared in the Stephen King series Castle Rock. The Tewksbury Cemetery, which is right across the street, was also shown. The hospital was also used in the opening scene of Adam Sandler's movie Hubie Halloween.

The hospital building also has special murals. These were painted by artists during a program called the Works Progress Administration.

Learning in Tewksbury

Tewksbury has a public school system for students from pre-kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade.

The schools include:

• Tewksbury Memorial High School (TMHS): For grades 9–12.
• John W. Wynn Middle School: For grades 7–8.
• John F. Ryan Elementary School: For grades 5–6.
• Center Elementary School (CES): For grades 2-4.
• St William's School: A private school for grades Pre-K–8.

Elementary School Changes

In 2010, the four elementary schools in Tewksbury changed how they were organized. Before, each school had its own area and taught grades K–4. Now, schools on each side of town are grouped. Each school teaches specific grade levels.

• North Tewksbury:
  • Loella F. Dewing Elementary School: For grades Pre-K–1.
• South Tewksbury:
  • Heath Brook Elementary School: For grades K–1.

Students in high school also have another option. They can choose to attend Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. This school serves students from five different communities in the area.

Tewksbury's sports teams are known as the Redmen.

Colleges Near Tewksbury

For higher education, there are several options nearby:

• The closest community college is Middlesex Community College. It has campuses in nearby Lowell and Bedford.
• The nearest state university is the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
• Other state colleges are in Salem and Framingham.
• The closest private college is Merrimack College in North Andover. Many other private colleges are within an hour's drive in Boston.

Tewksbury in the Media

Tewksbury gets its news and entertainment from Boston television stations. Local newspapers like the "Boston Herald" and the weekly "Town Crier" also serve the town.

Famous People from Tewksbury

Many interesting people have connections to Tewksbury:

• Adelbert Ames (1835–1933): A hero who received the Medal of Honor. He was the last Civil War general to be alive.
• Mico Kaufman (1924–2016): A talented sculptor who designed medals for presidents and the Olympics.
• John James Nazarian (born 1952): A private investigator known for working with celebrities.
• Scott Oberg (born 1990): A professional baseball pitcher who played for the Colorado Rockies.
• Anne Sullivan (1866–1936): The famous teacher and friend of Helen Keller.
• Paul Sullivan (1957–2007): A former town official and a radio talk show host in Boston.
• John Trull (1738–1797): A captain of the Tewksbury Minutemen during the Revolutionary War.