The Francis Wyman Homestead is located at, 56 Francis Wyman Rd. in Burlington, MA, USA (map). It is one of the most historically significant landmarks in Massachusetts and is notable for its associations and connections to early American history.

Historically, the house is important as an early colonial landmark that sheds light upon English settlement patterns and domestic lifestyles in 1600 America. Architecturally, the homestead is significant as a 17th century structure, and as the home of one of Burlington and Woburn’s earliest settlers, Francis Wyman.

The Francis Wyman Association, which now owns the home and surrounding land, was organized and formed by Benjamin Wyman after his 1899 visit to the grave of Francis Wyman (1618/9-1699) and upon his learning of the decrepit condition of the 1666 Francis Wyman Homestead.

Dismayed by their ancestral home’s condition, Wyman descendants incorporated the Association in 1902 for the purpose of acquiring the Wyman Homestead and of preserving family relics and records of Francis Wyman and John Wyman, Francis’s brother. The founder’s hope was to encourage friendly intercourse among Wyman descendants for generations to come.

Francis Wyman Association incorporation certificate (1902)

The three photos at the top depict the condition of the Wyman house over the more than one hundred years of ownership by the FWA. The center photo shows the house following early renovations just after the turn of the 20th century.

The Association created a “modern home” for various caring tenants who occupied the house until 1996 when the house was almost destroyed by fire. A positive from the fire was that the life of the house and various renovations throughout history were uncovered.

The third photo shows the house as it looked recently, having completed two rounds of renovations accomplished with the partnership of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Town of Burlington and generous donations from Association members and others. The house will not be completely modernized but rather will be preserved as a museum to illustrate early colonial life and home construction techniques.

The basement has a beautiful dry laid stone foundation with puncheon stairs that date to the 17th century. The main structure is a great example of early 17th century three bay, post and beam construction. The mammoth chimney supports six fireplaces including early deep fireplaces which were transformed to shallower, more efficient Rumford fireplaces (probably in the early 19th century). The interior rooms still show the effects of the fire, and the Association is exploring ways to preserve the rooms while showing the progression of the house over the centuries.

The Francis Wyman Association celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2016. Much work still remains to be accomplished to preserve the homestead for the next 350 years. The Association welcomes all who wish to help preserve this American colonial historical landmark. Please consider donating to the Association.