Dedham
a town of Massachusetts, the county-seat of Norfolk co. It includes three villages and is on the Charles river, and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad.
Though it is chiefly a residential suburb of Boston, it has important industries, including manufacturies of cotton and woolen goods, carpets, handkerchiefs, and pottery. The notable buildings include a memorial hall, a public library, and the Historical Society building. It also contains a county court house, a jail, and a house of correction.
The town was settled in 1636 and was incorporated in the same year. The first free school in America was established here in 1645. Pop. (1910) 9,284; (1920) 10,792.