Fairbanks House:
What is the Fairbanks House
The Fairbanks House is believed to be the oldest surviving timber-frame house in North America.
It was built for Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks and their six children. They came from England in 1633, lived first in Watertown, then moved to Dedham in 1636 and acquired land there. The house was constructed between 1637 and 1641, based especially on tree-ring (dendrochronology) evidence.
Why It’s Special
Architecture & preservation: It retains a remarkably high percentage of original structure, framing, and early colonial building methods. Additions were made over generations, but many rooms and parts are as they would have been in the 17th century.
Family history: The Fairbanks family lived in the house for eight generations—through many centuries—until the early 20th century.
Folklore & curiosities: There are some fascinating quirks—evidence of folk magic (hex signs in the mantel, shoes hidden in walls or chimneys to ward off evil spirits), old heirlooms, and stories tied to major events in family history (for instance, legal troubles).
What You’ll See on a Visit
Tours are offered Friday through Sunday from May through October. These tours last about 50 minutes and are by reservation.
The house is not fully accessible — there are some stairs inside, low ceilings, narrow doorways, etc. The first floor is more accessible and some parts have stairs.
You can also visit the grounds and the historic herb garden.
Practical Info
Admission (2025):
Adults (1+) = ~$15
Seniors (60+) = ~$12
Children 7-17 = ~$8
Children 6 & under = Free Fairbanks House Historical Site
Ownership & museum status: It’s preserved by the nonprofit “Fairbanks Family in America, Inc.” which is dedicated to keeping the house, its collections, and history alive.
LOCATED AT 511 EAST STREET, DEDHAM, MASS.