The Dillaway-Thomas House

where past and present meet—from a parsonage to a park

The Dillaway-Thomas House at the Roxbury Heritage State Park, was built in 1750 as the parsonage for The First Church in Roxbury, just across the street.

Early history
During the siege of Boston (1775 – 1776) almost 5000 troops, commanded by General John Thomas camped in Roxbury. Thomas used the house as his headquarters. The house was later occupied by Charles K. Dillaway, a headmaster at Boston Latin School. In 1927, the city planned to tear down the house and use the site for the Timilty School. Opposition by residents saved the house and it became the home of the Roxbury Historical Society.

A reminder of Roxbury’s past
The house has been restored to show how it changed over two centuries. Roxbury Heritage State Park, adjacent to the Dillaway-Thomas House, provides a scenic overlook of downtown Boston and a pleasant spot to relax or enjoy a picnic lunch.