Woburn, MA

Located only 11 miles north of Boston, Woburn is a medium-sized town of 37,000 people known for its tightly-knit neighborhoods and high level of community involvement. Many professionals commute to the greater Boston area from Woburn, attracted by the town's low crime rate and affordable real estate.

First settled in 1640 and incorporated as a distinct township in 1642, Woburn is one of the oldest and most historic communities in New England. Colonial Woburn also once encompassed the modern Massachusetts towns of Wilmington, Burlington, and Winchester, but these communities eventually broke off into separate townships in 1730, 1799, and 1850 respectively.

BEST BETS

• Woburn Public Library The library dates from 1789 and is a National Historic Landmark. The library was originally funded by the Winn family and includes a reading room, an art gallery, a study room, and a lady's parlor done in nineteenth-century décor.
• The Baldwin House The home of one of Woburn's first settlers, the Baldwin House was the home of the Baldwin family for many generations before being converted into a boarding house. Most recently, this historic dwelling has served as a restaurant.
• Forest Park The first public park in the city, Forest Park was founded in 1890. The park has trails for hikers and joggers, athletic fields, and areas for cross-country skiing.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Woburn's economy was primarily agricultural until the early 19th century, when tanning, shoemaking, and rubber took over. The tanning industry, specifically, boomed during the Civil War and the industry dominated until the Great Depression. Today there are no remaining tanneries in Woburn.

The biggest industries in Woburn are health care, construction, and education. The unemployment rate is below the state average.

While many Woburn residents commute to Boston, Raytheon opened a Missile Defense Center in Woburn and is the city's biggest employer.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Woburn's recognized historic district is the Baldwin Homestead Historic District. This area encompasses the 1790 House, the Baldwin Mansion, Kiwanis Park, the Middlesex Canal, and the canal's tow path. This area was formerly the private wharf and landing for the estate of Colonel Loammi Baldwin, with some 150 acres of meadows, tillage and orchards.

There are several community groups that promote local civic involvement:

• SCI Woburn: This community group is responsible for most of the happenings in the city of Woburn.
• Impact Woburn: Young people and adults meet and talk about their community at coffeehouse nights. The group looks to expand Woburn's arts and culture scene.
• Youth Council: This group of young people works with the city government to fund projects such as drugs and alcohol awareness meetings, playground reconstructions, and conflict resolution courses.
• Civic Welcome Wagon: This SCI Woburn group welcomes new residents to Woburn and provides information about the town and its resources.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Summer Concert Series: The SCI puts on this series of concerts every summer, offering a blend of different types of music for Woburn residents to enjoy.
• Midwinter Fling: This community fundraising event celebrates the season by launching fruitcakes and other leftover holiday food items with a catapult. The event also includes face painting and a number of other activities.
• WorldFest: The festival celebrates diversity and different cultures with food, music, and information about various countries.
• Festival on the Common: A free yearly festival held at City Hall, featuring music performances, food, and local arts and crafts.
• Greek Festival: Held annually in May, this event features traditional Greek food, music, and art.
• Fall Festival: A yearly celebration held in September, the festival offers local food and performers, as well as a series of lectures and presentations on civic issues.
• The Harvest Craft Fair: Featuring hundreds of local craft vendors. Proceeds are donated to local charities.

FAMILY FUN

• Mary Cummings Park: A large park on the southwestern edge of Woburn, featuring hiking trails, wetlands and botanical preserves, as well as the campus of Northeastern University-Burlington.
• Middlesex Fells Reservation: A large state park area southeast of Woburn, featuring several ponds available for sailing, fishing, and swimming, as well as hiking, mountain bike, and equestrian trails, picnic areas, rock climbing, and more.
• Horn Pond: Located in the center of Woburn, featuring paved walking and hiking trails, several boat launches, and a view of downtown Boston from atop Horn Pond Mountain.
• Leland Park: Features a large swimming pool, and several baseball fields.
• Forest Park: A small park in a suburban neighborhood in northern Woburn.
• Walnut Hill Park: An open park near the Walnut Hill commercial district and residential neighborhood.
• Rag Rock Hill Park: A 248-foot peak open to rock climbers and mountain bikers in western Woburn.

SHOPPING

Woburn Mall: Located near the Cloverleaf Junction (the intersection of I-95 and I-93), the Woburn mall is a popular destination for residents and shoppers from the surrounding area. The mall was built in the late 1970s and renovated in 2004.

LOCAL MEDIA

• Daily Times Chronicle
• Woburn Advocate

EDUCATION

• Middlesex Community College: The largest community college in Massachusetts, the school offers certificates and associate's degrees in a wide range of subjects.
• Emmanuel College: This Boston-based four year, coed Catholic university has a campus in Woburn, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business and Health Care related fields.
• Northeastern University-Burlington: Located in the heart of Mary Cummings Park on the west end of Woburn, this satellite campus offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• Peterson School of Steam Engineering: Offers courses on the State License Exam in Steam Engineering.

FUN FACTS

Woburn was the focus of the Jonathan Harr book A Civil Action, which told the story of the Woburn groundwater contamination scandal. W.R. Grace and Company and Beatrice Foods were sued for contaminating the drinking water of Woburn residents, resulting in high levels of leukemia and other health problems.