#102 - Dedham

 There are two interesting spots we walked between in Dedham.

The Endicott Estate sits on 15 acres and is a home built by the the founder of the Endicott Johnson Shoe Corporation.  It burned down in 1904, was rebuilt in 1906, and then bought by the state in 1967 with the intention of being the Governor's Mansion.  Once the total renovation cost was established ($1 Million) the state decided against the idea and returned the estate to Dedham.  It's now used as a function hall, and the grounds are used for recreation for the town.  Lots of kids were sledding on the back side of the estate when we visited.  There are also Dedham Community Gardens and Greenhouse, and a branch of the Dedham Public Library on the grounds.

We then took a walk down the street to the Fairbanks House.  This homestead is the oldest standing wooden structure in North America.  It was built in 1637 for Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks.  Fairbanks family members lived there for eight generations.  It's now a museum open from spring-fall.