Dedham

Dedham is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Greater Boston area and lies about 12 miles southwest of downtown Boston. The town combines residential neighborhoods with historic sites, parks, and commercial districts centered around Dedham Square.

Founded by English settlers in 1635 and incorporated in 1636, Dedham is among the earliest towns established in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Dedham Covenant of 1636 guided communal life and church practice. The town preserves several 17th-century structures, including the Fairbanks House (c. 1637), the oldest surviving timber-framed house in North America, and the First Church (1638).

Dedham has a primarily suburban to semi-rural landscape with parks, woodlands, and varied neighborhoods. It borders several Boston-area communities and is accessible by major highways. The town center and nearby corridors host a mix of residential, retail, and office development.

Major transportation corridors include Interstate 95 (Route 128) and U.S. Route 1. The MBTA Franklin Line provides commuter rail service to Boston via the Dedham Corporate Center station. Local commerce is concentrated in Dedham Square and at Legacy Place, a regional shopping complex that supports retail employment.

Public education is administered by the Dedham Public Schools, including Dedham High School and several elementary schools. Notable historic and cultural sites include the Dedham Square Historic District, the Endicott Estate, and the Fairbanks House, reflecting the town’s long architectural history.