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Winchester is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located 8.2 miles (13.2 km) north of downtown Boston as part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area. It is also one of the wealthiest municipalities in Massachusetts. The population was 22,970 at the 2020 United States Census. [1]
- Indigenous Peoples
- European Arrival
- Early History
- The 19th Century
- Forming The Town of Winchester
- Becoming A Suburban Town
Native Americans were the first to settle along the rivers and ponds in the area now known as Winchester. They spoke the Algonquin language and were part of the Massachuset tribe, whose land stretched from Plymouth to Salem and west of Concord. By the time of European migration, their population had been decimated by disease and warfare with the Ab...
Europeans arrived in the area in the 1630s when Charlestown citizens were granted land in the northern ranges of the district, known as Waterfield. It was incorporated in 1642 from Charlestown lands and annexed to Woburn. Present-day Winchester includes lands which were originally part of Woburn, Arlington (West Cambridge), and Medford.
Early settlement was concentrated along Cambridge Street (the Cambridge-Woburn Road) with some scattered upland farms to the west, and along Richardson’s Row (Washington Street) to the east. Other settlements were located along the Medford-Woburn Road (Main Street). Symmes Corner located at the intersection of Grove, Bacon, and Main Streets, and Bl...
The Middlesex Canal, which opened in 1803, and the Boston and Lowell Railroad, which supplanted it in 1835, changed the character of the village. The small mills and tanneries on the Aberjona River along with the isolated farms now had fast and cheap access to Boston markets and beyond. These ties grew stronger over time. The early grist mills gave...
The thriving village soon began to feel the need to separate from the parent town of Woburn, and it was the South Woburn Congregational Church that initiated the move. In 1840 the South Woburn Congregational Church provided the first house of worship within the village boundaries. By 1850, the town was ready to establish its independence from Wobur...
Two distinct social groups developed in the new town. In the area near the mills, such as the Canal Street-Salem Street neighborhood and in Baconville (near Grove Street), industrial workers settled near their factories. Simultaneously, Boston businessmen began to settle in Winchester, attracted by the easy commute on the Boston & Lowell railroad. ...
Explore the rich history of Winchester by visiting the Winchester Historical Society. They have exhibits showcasing the city's past, including artifacts, photographs, and documents. It's a great place to learn about the local history and culture. 2. Take a Stroll at Horn Pond
WINCHESTER HISTORY ONLINE WELCOME. This site will introduce you to the history of Winchester, Massachusetts. It includes: A quick summary of key events below, Overview histories of the broad subject areas listed in the box to the left, including links to an assortment of articles on specific subjects, and
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WINCHESTER. In 1840, rebel church members broke away from the Woburn Congregational Church to form a new congregational society, the South Woburn Congregational Church. The drive for a new Town started with this action.
The Winchester Historical Society and the community of Winchester are transforming the Sanborn House into a community cultural center, gallery, and meeting place. Learn More.
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The Winchester Historical Society is a volunteer organization of members working to promote an awareness of Winchester’s rich history and culture. Founded in 1933 as successor to the Winchester Historical and Genealogical Society which flourished from 1884 to 1898, the Society is one of the oldest historical organizations in New England.
