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Duxbury represents a fine blend of New England tradition, American heritage, culture and recreation. Its past is a colorful page in the history of the United States.
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Settled around 1628, Duxbury quickly established itself as a progressive community ideally situated on the Atlantic Ocean. Myles Standish and John and Priscilla Alden, attracted by its fertile land, bountiful natural resources and magnificent beauty, settled here in the 1600s. The Golden Age of Shipbuilding flourished in Duxbury for nearly two centuries, and the Weston Shipyard, established in 1764, became the largest shipbuilder in the nation. The great wealth and prosperity of that exciting era is still visible in the elegant homes along the town's tree-shaded main avenue. The harbor with its long wharves jutting out into the water, played host to Grand Banks schooners and square riggers of the China Trade.
After the decline of shipbuilding in the 1800s, residents turned their energies to fishing, shoemaking and tourism while others, perhaps more adventurous, journeyed by ship and covered wagon to seek fortunes in the California Gold Rush. In 1826, Ford's Store became the first department store in the United States. A major event in world communication took place at Duxbury Beach on July 23, 1869 when the Franco-American Cable was pulled ashore linking this country to Europe via the first trans-Atlantic telegraph connection.
Today, Duxbury's 37 miles of coastline and magnificent five mile sandy beach continue to play a major role in the lives of the town's 13,000 year round residents. A town pier and moorings are available from the harbormaster, and hardy sailors take to the sea even in the winter. The Duxbury Yacht Club and several private marinas offer complete marine services, including boat-building. The town owns more than 1200 acres of conservation land and the Commonwealth maintains Standish Monument Park where a 130 foot tower affords a splendid, sweeping view of Massachusetts Bay. Golfing, tennis, fishing, hiking and cross-country skiing are popular pastimes with residents.
Duxbury maintains a strong tradition in the arts, offering year round programs in music, theater and exhibits of the visual arts. The Art Complex at Duxbury is a critically acclaimed regional museum located in the midst of a peaceful woodland. The Complex mounts major exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography and traditional crafts, and conducts recitals, concerts and Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstrations. The Drew House and the Helen Bumpus Gallery also exhibit works by local and regional artists. Each summer the Duxbury Art Association holds its annual show and conducts classes for adults and children, The Bay Players, founded in 1956, draws cast, crew and directors from 12 area towns and presents three performances a year.
Duxbury has always placed strong emphasis on education. Schools are located on a 75 acre campus in the center of town. The system stresses basic skills but also offers programs that respond to the emotional, artistic and athletic needs of students.
Duxbury is carefully and thoughtfully zoned to protect residential neighborhoods and to ensure that rolling fields, woodland and cranberry bogs remain an unspoiled part of the landscape.
Located 37 miles from Boston and just minutes from Cape Cod, this lovely community
offers period homes, traditional styles, single family houses, new homes and condominiums.
