Wenham

Welcome to Wenham!
Wenham is a rural-suburban town in Essex County, Massachusetts. Wenham was originally a part of Salem.  The town was incorporated in 1643.  Wenham has many historic houses, lakes, woods and old stone walls, amongst its winding tree-lined roads.

Brief History
The area was first inhabited for hundreds of years by members of the native Algonguians, (also known as the Agawams). Wenham, originally Salem, was then settled in 1635 by the English.  Diseases brought over by the European settlers unfortunately decimated the local native population. The town of Wenham was incorporated by 1643.  Many of the English settlers came from Suffolk and it's believed that Wenham was named after two villages there, Great Wenham and Little Wenham: Wenham means, 'house on a moor.' Wenham was similar to landscapes and estates the English had left behind and farming soon became the main industry of the area. Wenham also became known for its unique ice industry, bringing ice to Europe and even Britain's Queen Victoria!  The ice industry came to an end in the seventies with the advent of artificial refrigeration.  Two landmarks of Wenham today are the Wenham museum and the Wenham Tea House.  These have their roots in the Wenham Village Improvement Society. Wenham ladies founded the society in the 1890s with the aim of the beautification of Wenham.  They organized tree planting and they bought the tea house as a way for ladies to sell their handiwork, jams and jellies, as well as tea.  Later on they encouraged the Historical committee to purchase the historic Claflin-Richards house, which would later become a prominent part of the Wenham museum.

Population
4,875 as of the 2010 census.

A Day in Wenham
Start the day with a breakfast at Henderson's cafe on the Hamilton-Wenham line, (they also serve lunch).  After breakfast, head out to the Wenham museum and browse its antique collection.  They are particularly famous for their doll collection.  Kids and adults alike love all the train dioramas.  Make sure you leave enough time to visit the historic Clafin-Richards house, circa 1690, situated next to the museum and find out how locals lived from the 1600s through to the Victorian era.  After all that intellectual activity, how about a hike? Take a short drive to the JC Phillips Nature Preserve.  It's a great place for a walk, with beautiful views of Wenham Lake.  After that hike, you'll have worked up an appetite.  So how about afternoon tea at the Wenham Tea House (reservations required) and celebrate Wenham's English heritage! Enjoy a steaming pot of tea, scones with delicious clotted cream and jam, sandwiches and a variety of pastries.

Why Move to Wenham?
Sought after school System
Rural Living
Commuter rail into Boston
Equestrian Community
The Community House
Patton Park
Wenham Tea House
Wenham Museum
Wenham Lake
Historic homes
Hamilton-Wenham Library
JC Phillips Nature Preserve
Gordon College
The Academy at Penguin Hall

Wenham Properties

$3,022,500

Average Listing Price

5

Active Listings

$626

Price/Sq Ft.

0

Foreclosures / REO

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