The oldest house still standing in the United States is the Fairbanks House in Dedham, Massachusetts.
This historic structure holds the distinction of being the oldest timber-frame house in North America that has remained standing since its construction. Built around 1641, the Fairbanks House offers a rare and invaluable window into early colonial American life and architectural practices.
The house was originally constructed by Jonathan Fairbanks, an English Puritan who immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Remarkably, the home remained in the Fairbanks family for eight generations, spanning over 268 years, which contributed significantly to its extraordinary preservation. Its continued existence allows researchers and visitors to gain deep insights into the construction techniques, daily routines, and social structures of 17th-century America.
Today, the Fairbanks House operates as a historic house museum, meticulously maintained to showcase its original structure, furnishings, and artifacts. Its profound historical importance has been recognized nationally:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Fairbanks House |
| Location | Dedham, Massachusetts |
| Built | ca. 1641 |
| Significance | Oldest timber-frame house in North America |
| Designations | National Historic Landmark (NHL), National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) |
| NHL Designated | October 9, 1960 |
| NRHP Added | October 15, 1966 |
The Fairbanks House stands as a testament to the enduring craftsmanship of early American settlers and a vital link to the nation's colonial past.
