the fairbanks house

worcesterlove

No question about it, if you love all things Colonial period..this is a must see. I am a Fairbanks and proud that my ancestors constructed a home that has withstood the test of time.

Food_Crazed_Mainer

This is a must see for any historic home lovers. The docent was excellent and took time to explain the evolution of the house. They even have a wooden model in sections showing how the additions were added over the years. True, authentic furnishings and period pieces from former owners help you feel the history. If you are over 6 ft tall...DUCK and go in anyway.

TravelingLibrary

I had wanted to visit the oldest standing timber house in North America and a local history society arranged a tour. This is well worth a visit. Erin, the curator, gave us an overview and then our docent provided a tour for over an hour showing us all of the details of this home. The Fairbanks House was the home of 8 generations and made into a house museum in 1902. The building has had minor modifications the outside has new clapboards and roof but the inside is an excellent example of early American housing. There are two steep staircases to the upper floors and the floor slope a lot so wear flat shoes and hold on to the railings.

Dee4591

It is reputed that John Roper was one of the carpenters on the Fairbanks House. I was in Dedham for a short visit to gather family history, so stopped by to get a look. Was greeted by someone too busy to be bothered with my request for a short look. She said to talk to the guide how would be arriving soon. The guide was downright rude because I was asking for a quick look instead of the full tour. She insisted that I could ONLY look at one room although an adjoining room was visible.The visit left a sour impression on me.

ba1126

This is a wonderful little home to tour. It is one of the oldest wood frame houses in America-the real thing, not just a 'replica'. The bricks that form the chimney were part of the ballast from the ship that brought the Fairbanks family to America! Cooking implements, and weaving looms and other period pieces are displayed. Each of my children got to explore this house with their classmates and teachers while studying Colonial times. Experiencing an authentic early Colonial home made a big impression and helped their lessons come alive!

DavidBenz

The fact that this house is 375 years old is its main attraction. There is simply no other house so old, and certainly very few even close to this age in this area. So it preserves a type of construction and specific details of early colonial life that few other places can approach. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area and have any interest in the earliest colonial period of the US. Good tour guides.

Yoli58

Our family took a tour of the Fairbanks House and thoroughly enjoyed the up-close look at a piece of history in this part of the country. The oldest timber-frame house still standing was full of period pieces of furniture, work implements and other items that brought the house alive. The tour guide was fantastic, sharing stories of its inhabitants as well as parts of the history of the building itself. Fantastic addition to our tour of the North East.

Celaluna

The Fairbanks House is set on the corner of East St. and Eastern Ave. in Dedham MA. If you are into old homes, you will enjoy a visit to this house. The old wooden beams are fully exposed and the large working fireplace makes me truly appreciate my own modern stove. I have visited this house with groups of school children and they really appreciate our modern conveniences once they see how early Americans lived. If you are into Colonial homes, construction and decor, the Fairbanks House is worth a visit.

runningretired

Excellent from an historical perspective. Tours inside house begin every hour, on the hour and last about 45 minutes. Hot in summer-old structure, no A/C. Dark inside, even when it is sunny outside. Flashlights were available. Narrow stairs are not easy to negotiate. NOT for anyone with impaired vision or who has difficulty walking alone or on stairs. Very young children will probably lose interest quickly. Nothing can be touched. No photography allowed inside.

patisson

This house is ancient -- at least by American standards -- yet its high standard of preservation aided by the excellent presentation by its curator brings it to life. Compared to many modern buildings this seems like a comfortable place to live despite its lack of modern amenities and somewhat ramshackle organization. Walking through you get the feel of what living was like over many generations of residents. A vital part of New England history, this is well worth a visit!

independentrider1

It was closed when we arrived but still walked around and took pictures. How could you not want to visit the oldest house in the USA?

MassLady06

Fairbanks House is the oldest timber frame house in America - that alone makes it worth the stop for anyone intereted in architecture. But there is even more. Don't expect glitz and glamor, this is a real house multilayered with the stuff from several generations. Be sure to check their website or call for updated tour time. Combine it with a trip to the Dedham Historical Society and you have a taste of very early colonial life - Dedham was founded in 1636.

walpoleartlover

If you want a really good look into our past come to the Fairbanks House for a tour. The house was built in 1637 and the old section is much intact with additions into the 19th century. You can see so much about how our domestic arrangements have evolved oer time. Let your mind expand as you explore the changes.