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Fairbanks House Museum Family Day

Enjoy a FREE family-friendly tour of one of Dedham's historic gems, the oldest timber frame house in North America, along with a story and activity!

Tours will begin with a reading of Ox-Cart Man by DPL Children's Librarian Meredith to set the scene for a typical day in the life of the Fairbanks family in seventeenth-century Dedham. Kathleen Milster, Visitor Services Coordinator, will conduct tours of the House focusing especially on the perspective of the many generations of Fairbanks children. Inspired by the beautiful and useful gardens maintained by The Fairbanks Garden Club, families will end their visit by planting green bean seeds to take and grow at home. 

Tours are appropriate for children ages 5 and up. Registration is required through the Dedham Public Library events calendar. Please contact Brittany with questions about this, or any other, Dedham Reads 2024: Museums All Around Us event. 

Guidelines for Planning for Your Visit:

• Register for ONLY one of the four available tours, please
• Children must be accompanied by a parent
• No strollers are allowed in the House
• No accessible bathroom are available on site; the closest public restrooms are located at the Endicott Branch Library (257 Washington St) or Barnes Memorial Park (150 Eastern Ave) 
• Free onsite parking

The Fairbanks House Museum is located at 511 East St. Free parking is available in the Museum's lot on Eastern Ave. 

About The Fairbanks House Museum: 

The Fairbanks House in Dedham, MA is the oldest known timber frame house still standing in North America. Built circa 1637 for Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks and their six children, it was home to eight generations of the Fairbanks family over the course of 268 years. The Fairbanks House is now a historic house museum and on the National Register of Historic Places. Connect with The Fairbanks House Museum on Facebook, Instagram, on on their website at FairbanksHouse.org.

The Fairbanks House Museum is seeking volunteer docents and greeters! Contact Kathleen at visit@fairbankshouse.org for more information. 

Dedham Reads Together is a collaborative annual initiative presented by Dedham Public Library, Dedham Public Schools, and Dedham Library Innovation Team to promote literacy and community in Dedham, MA through shared reads and activities.