Home’s History
The Fairbanks House, located in Dedham, Massachusetts, holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving timber-frame house in North America.
Jonathan Fairbanks emigrated from Heptonstall in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1633. By 1636-37, he had acquired land in Dedham and began constructing a farmhouse for his family.
The Fairbanks House was built in stages, with the central portion being the earliest, completed between 1637 and 1641 according to dendrochronology tests.
The original structure was a simple hall-parlor house with a center chimney bay, a common architectural style of the period.
Over the centuries, the house saw numerous expansions and modifications.
A lean-to was added at the back, an east wing was possibly added around 1641, and a west wing was constructed around 1654.
By the late 18th century, another east wing, assembled from earlier buildings, and a new chimney were added.
The 19th century brought further expansions, including a hip roof and a small entryway.
In 1897, the property was saved from demolition by Mrs. J. Amory Codman and her daughter Martha, who allowed Rebecca to stay until 1904.
The Fairbanks Family in America Inc., a newly formed organization, then purchased the house and converted it into a museum in 1905.
Its Current State
Today, the Fairbanks House is managed by the Fairbanks Family, dedicated to preserving and interpreting the home and its historical collections.
The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It’s open for tours and hosts various events, including the annual Fairbanks family reunion.
Exterior Photos
The exterior of the Fairbanks House showcases its evolution from a simple farmhouse to a complex structure with multiple additions.
The front of the house features wide oak clapboards, while narrower oak and cedar clapboards cover the gable ends and rear.
Various expansions, including wings and additional rooms, reflect the changing needs and prosperity of the Fairbanks family over generations.
The house is situated on its original lot, which has never had a mortgage encumbrance, a testament to the family’s enduring connection to the property.
A stone wall, erected in 1973 after a car accident damaged the east wing, now protects the historic structure from similar incidents.
Interior Photos
The interior of the Fairbanks House reflects its long history and the changes in architectural styles and family needs over centuries.
The oldest part of the house features wide oak clapboards, original front windows, and a well-preserved four-light window in the east gable end.
Inside, visitors can see original features such as the center chimney bay, hall-parlor layout, and a summer beam dated to 1637.
Throughout the house, evidence of past residents’ practices, including folk magic, can be seen.
Hex signs carved into the mantle, shoes placed in the attic, and other objects were intended to ward off evil spirits and protect the home from harm.
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Except for the usual maintenance of a lovely old historic home This home should not be altered drastically in anyway. I remember watching a show on HGTV where the Hosts renovated an old historic 2 story home from the 1600’s or 1700’s They drastically changed the ground floor dropped the ceiling so what was 2 stories was now one with massive raised ceilings exposing the 2nd floor windows and the original beams were “strategically” and decoratively placed between “the 2 floors”. DO NOT LET SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN TO THIS KEEP IT IN THE STYLE THAT IT IS NOW