The Fairbanks House

09/06/2026

History was not made only by famous names. It was built by working hands.

This Labor Day, the Fairbanks House Museum honors the generations of farmers, craftspeople, laborers, homemakers, caretakers, and others whose skill, perseverance, and daily work built our communities and shaped our nation, including many whose contributions were never fully recorded.

We are also grateful for the staff, volunteers, preservation specialists, and supporters whose work today keeps the Fairbanks House standing and its stories alive for future generations.

From all of us at the Fairbanks House Museum, we wish you a safe and restful Labor Day!

Pictured, the first Labor Day parade passes Union Square in New York City, September 5, 1882. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

09/02/2026

History is better when you can be part of it. ❤️

One of the things that made our 125th Fairbanks Family Reunion so special was seeing generations of Fairbanks descendants, family members and friends gathered at the place where our American family story began nearly 400 years ago.

There were tours, stories, new friendships, old connections — and even a little time travel!

One of our guests (and his wife and granddaughter) arrived wearing a shirt featuring “Lolli & Pops” taking Amelia back to 1637. Amelia was the granddaughter and Lolli & Pops traveled across the country to show little Amelia the family home. We loved seeing our family history celebrated in such a fun and personal way.

For 125 reunions, people have continued to come back to the Fairbanks House — not simply to see an old house, but to connect with the people who lived here, the generations who came after them, and one another.

That’s what keeps history alive.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this milestone year. We hope you’ll bring even more family and friends with you next year.

The 126th Fairbanks Family Reunion awaits! 🏡❤️

08/30/2026

YOU VOTED. WE HEARD YOU!

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 8–10, 2027

The next National Fairbanks Family Reunion is coming to New England in Fall 2027!

Join us in Dedham, MA for a special Fairbanks Family Fall Celebration featuring classic New England autumn activities, special member programming, family connections, and plenty of Fairbanks fun.

More details are coming, but for now…

Mark your calendars.
Plan your fall getaway.
Join the Fairbanks family October 8–10, 2027!

08/27/2026

Thanks Matthew Riley for sending us a message and sharing your selfie.

“Hi. I stopped by for a selfie. I thought my hat would fit in here. 🇺🇸”

08/27/2026

The Fairbanks House is in this video of the oldest homes in each state…timestamp: 9:52.

Visit the VSA website to learn how you can get involved today: http...

08/27/2026

The 2026 Fairbanks Family Reunion was one for the books! ❤️

On July 10 & 11, Fairbanks family and friends gathered once again at the historic Fairbanks House in Dedham for two days of reconnecting, reminiscing, making new memories—and having a whole lot of fun.

One of the highlights was being entertained by the 3rd Maine Infantry Field Musicians, a talented fife and drum duo who brought a little history to life right in our own backyard.

The sound of the fife and drum alongside a house that has witnessed nearly 400 years of American history made the experience especially memorable. 🇺🇸🥁

And look at this group! Generations of Fairbanks descendants, family and friends gathered together at the place where so much of our family story began.

Over the next week, we'll be sharing a series of posts highlighting some of our favorite moments from the 2026 reunion…the people, the activities, the history and, of course, the fun.

If you've never attended a Fairbanks Reunion—or it's been a while—we hope you'll change that in 2027. Bring your children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins and friends. The more, the merrier!

We'd love to see an even bigger group gathered in front of the Fairbanks House next year. ❤️

Stay tuned for more reunion memories and details for next year’s reunion.

08/06/2026

It is with great sadness that the Fairbanks Family in America and the Fairbanks House Museum announce the passing of our friend, colleague, historian, and longtime past President and Board Member, Jonathan Leo Fairbanks.

Jonathan devoted a lifetime to preserving and interpreting American history, art, and material culture. His scholarship, leadership, and generosity of spirit helped shape not only our organization but also museums and historic preservation efforts across the nation. As our historian, advisor, and one of the family's most respected voices, he inspired generations with his expansive knowledge and deep love of the Fairbanks family story.

We were especially grateful to have Jonathan with us at this year's Fairbanks Family Reunion, where he once again shared his wisdom and friendship with all who attended.

As a mark of respect and gratitude for his extraordinary service, the flag at the Fairbanks Homestead has been lowered to half-staff in his honor.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Jonathan's full life by reading and sharing his obituary below. His legacy will continue to guide our work for future generations.

Fair winds and following seas, Jonathan. You will be deeply missed.

https://www.folsomfuneral.com/obituaries/jonathan-fairbanks

08/06/2026

Fairbanks House Museum Closure Notice - Friday, August 7th.

Due to the dangerously high temperatures forecast for tomorrow, August 7th, the Fairbanks House Museum will be closed for the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff.

We have contacted all guests with scheduled tours and are happy to either reschedule your visit or provide a full refund.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we put safety first. We look forward to welcoming you on a cooler day!

07/16/2026

Who remembers GIMP?

Bring back one of the best parts of summer camp and childhood! Join us at the Fairbanks House Museum for a fun, hands-on GIMP Workshop led by docent and former camp counselor Jim Parr.

Whether you're reliving old memories or learning for the very first time, you'll create colorful plastic-lace keychains, lanyards, bracelets, and more. No experience is necessary...we'll provide all the materials. Just bring your creativity (and maybe a little patience if you're a beginner)!

Saturday, July 25
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fairbanks House Museum
$20 per person

Perfect for kids, parents, grandparents, and anyone who remembers making GIMP at camp..or wants to discover what all the fun is about!

Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot.
Registration link in the comments! We hope to see you there!

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07/15/2026

👀 A Sneak Peek from Reunion Weekend...

Our 125th annual Fairbanks Family Reunion was held this past weekend, and what a wonderful celebration it was!

We'll be sharing photos, stories, and highlights throughout the next week, but let's start with a little mystery...

Can anyone guess who this gentleman is—and what he's doing? And what role he “played” at the reunion? 🤔

Leave your guess in the comments!

Stay tuned as we relive another memorable Fairbanks reunion over the next several days. There's much more to come!

Next year’s date will be coming soon. You don’t want to miss it!!