History:
Brookline's beginnings were rural; its land was originally parceled out to citizens of Boston as allotment farmlands in the 1630's. As allotment holders found it convenient to live close to their crops and livestock, a settlement grew up around the "Muddy River Hamlet". By the end of the seventeenth century, its inhabitants had built a school house, laid out three major roads, obtained exemption from paying taxes to Boston, and were petitioning the Massachusetts General Court for independence.
After three attempts, a petition to be a separate town, signed by 32 freeholders, was granted on November 13, 1705. The Muddy River hamlet was formally incorporated as the Town of Brookline. Samuel Sewall, son of Judge Sewall of Salem Witch Trials fame, lent the community his services as the first Town Clerk and, it is thought, the name of his family's "Brooklin" lands, which lay between the Charles and Muddy Rivers. A Town Meeting and Selectmen governed the Town, then, and still do today.
The residents of Brookline in the early eighteenth century were almost all farmers, many cultivating lands inherited from their fathers or acquired through marriage. Some of their names, such as Heath, Winchester, Clark, Aspinwall, and Devotion, remain with us today as street and neighborhood identifications. Zabdiel Boylston of Brookline, a physician, and uncle of John Adams, earned initial notoriety and enduring fame by introducing inoculation against smallpox to the American colonies in 1721.
By 1775, Brookline, with the rest of Massachusetts, was ready for greater independence from king and country across the water. William Dawes who rode along the Road to the Colleges (now Harvard Street) alerted Brookline that the British were marching on Concord. Three companies of Brookline volunteers mustered on the Town Green at the intersection of Walnut and Warren Streets and headed west, meeting the retreating British at North Cambridge and participating in their rout. One of their number, Isaac Gardner, was reportedly the only Harvard graduate among the patriots to die that day. The following spring, spurred on by John Goddard, a Brookline farmer and a fiery patriot who was to become Wagon-Master General for the Continental Army; the Brookline Town Meeting resolved that if "the Honorable Congress should, for the safety of the American Colonies, declare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Briton, then we. . . will solemnly engage with our Lives and fortune to support them."
Brookline's evolution from an agricultural to a suburban residential community began when wealthy merchants purchased large farms and built summer homes. Senator George Cabot and Samuel and Thomas Hanasyd Perkins were among the first, followed later in the nineteenth century by Theodore Lyman, John Lowell Gardner, Ignatius Sargent, Henry Lee, and Augustus Lowell. David Sears and Amos Lawrence were so taken with their Brookline estates that they gradually expanded them and laid them out as small communities where their friends, relations, and later buyers might join them in country living at Longwood or Cottage Farm.
As transportation routes were developed, making Brookline readily accessible to Boston, the population grew rapidly. In 1806, the Boston-Worcester Turnpike (now Route 9) replaced the old Sherburne Road (Walnut and Heath Street) as the Town's major highway and the main road west from Boston. Mill Dam Road was opened in 1821, extending Beacon Street into Brookline. This consummated Brookline's transition to the desirable commuter suburb that it is today.
The great nineteenth-century architect H.H. Richardson chose to live in Brookline as did his friend and colleague Frederick Law Olmsted. Considered to be the founder of landscape architecture in America, Olmsted served on the Town's Planning Board. Amy Lowell and John and Robert Kennedy were born here; physicians Walter Channing, George Minot, and William Murphy and Nobel laureate John Enders, horticulturist Charles Sprague Sargent, and musicians Serge Koussevitsky, Arthur Fiedler and Roland Hayes are some of the many notables who have been Town residents.
BSC HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS WEEK Monday, February 13 at 1:00 pm at the Senior Center, join Suzy Buchanan, Executive Director of the Shirley-Eustis House, for an interesting presentation in honor of Black History Month. How do we tell the history of…
Read More »BSC HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS WEEK Monday, February 13 at 1:00 pm at the Senior Center, join Suzy Buchanan, Executive Director of the Shirley-Eustis House, for an interesting presentation in honor of Black History Month. How do we tell the history of…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 2/6 - 2/10 If you have any questions or…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Three Week Look-Aheads: 1/23 - 2/19 Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 1/30 - 2/3…
Read More »Brookline Senior Center News and Programming Highlights BROOKLINECAN’S LIVABLE COMMUNITY ADVOCACY SERIES Join us to discuss the challenges facing Brookline's government today, including the special concerns of Brookline's older…
Read More »Click Here to View the Information About Town Of Brookline : Update From The Driscoll Project Team - January 27,…
Read More »Welcome to February 2023! The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, February 20th in celebration of President’s Day. Join us for a special Valentine’s Day Traditions program on Wednesday, February 8th at 1:00 PM, and a celebration of…
Read More »Click Here To View The Town of Brookline Senior Center News And Programming Highlights
Read More »The Brookline Brighton Allston Business Bootcamp is back! Meet with other local business people, learn, and have fun! If you are a business owner or operator in Brighton, Allston, or Brookline you can apply for this no cost, interactive virtual…
Read More »Winter Guide and Snow Regulations To view and download the Winter Guide, visit: Winter Guide brochure To see information on our Enforcement Policies, visit: Enforcement Policies Sign up for alerts through AlertBrookline by clicking…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 1/16 - 1/21 If you have any questions or…
Read More »Learn Best Social Media Marketing, Branding, Public Relations, and Cyber Security Practices from BU and BC Presenters! Brookline, Brighton, and Allston small business people are invited to the Business Bootcamp Information Session tomorrow,…
Read More »Access Brookline (The Patch) January 2023 A monthly selection of accessibility-related news, events, and information from the Brookline Commission on Disability (BCOD). Click here to View More Information About Town of Brookline Commission on…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Three Week Look-Aheads: 1/9 - 1/14 If you have any questions or concerns about the…
Read More »Friends- The application deadline for the 2023 Santander’s Cultivate Small Business is January 27th! This FREE 12-week course is like a mini-MBA for emerging food businesses who've been in business for at least 1 year. The online class is…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Three Week Look-Aheads: 12/19 - 1/8 Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 12/19 -…
Read More »December 2022 COVID/Flu Business Notice The Brookline Public Health & Human Services Department would like to work with Brookline businesses to promote a healthy winter for all. We are seeing an early increase in flu cases and reports of…
Read More »Town of Brookline News: Update from the Driscoll Project Team - December 16, 2022 Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Three…
Read More »Refuse and recycling collection will be interrupted for the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday. Both holidays will be observed on the Monday proceeding the actual holiday (12/26/22 and 1/2/23 respectively). Residents shall place their refuse…
Read More »Time Sensitive Brookline Restaurant Opportunities A lot's cooking in Brookline! We thought that you might be interested in participating in one or more of these upcoming no cost Brookline business opportunities, managed by the Brookline…
Read More »The last day to operate gas powered leaf blowers is December 31st. Gas powered leaf blowers will be permitted again starting March 15, 2023. For more information on leaf blower by-laws and regulations click: here to view and download a…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 11/28 - 12/2 If you have any questions or…
Read More »DECEMBER 2022 BROOKLINE SENIOR CENTER UPDATE & NEWSLETTER Happy December! The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, December 26th in celebration of Christmas, and on Monday, January 2nd, in celebration of New Year’s. As always,…
Read More »For restaurants, it is important to keep away pests that are looking for food, water, and shelter inside. This webinar will highlight common challenges with pests and sustainable strategies to prevent and control them. Webinar Details Dec. 6,…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 11/14 - 11/18 - Three Week Look-Aheads:…
Read More »The deadline for this fall's Autumn Benefit (No Gala) commitment is fast approaching. Please be a gem and make your pledge today! Donations of $100 or more are eligible to receive gift cards from Brookline Booksmith, Eureka!, or The Olive…
Read More »BROOKLINE, MA — The following article was submitted by the Brookline Commission on Disability (BCOD). Did you know? -November is Fall Town Meeting time! If you need any reasonable accommodations in order to fully participate in Brookline…
Read More »The Senior Center will be closed today, November 11th in celebration of Veteran’s Day. As always, there is an abundance of information in our monthly Senior News & Events. November is an especially busy month with a variety of programs…
Read More »Friday Refuse Collection Only: refuse will be interrupted for the Veteran's Day holiday on Friday November 11, 2022. Residents shall place their trash and recycling out for collection one (1) day later than their usual collection day, on Saturday,…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Three Week Look-Aheads: 10/31 - 11/20 If you have any questions or concerns about the…
Read More »Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events at the Brookline Senior Center As always, there is an abundance of information in our monthly Senior News & Events. November is an especially busy month with a variety of programs to enjoy. While…
Read More »The Restaurant Revitalization Seminar is a unique, 12-week restaurant management, no cost, valued at $5,500, zoom "crash course," presented by the Brookline Chamber of Commerce in partnership with SOL Restaurant Consulting for Brookline independent…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 10/24 - 10/28 If you have any questions or…
Read More »Happy November! The Senior Center will be closed on Friday, November 11th in celebration of Veteran’s Day, and on Thursday, November 24th, in celebration of Thanksgiving. As always, there is an abundance of information in our monthly Senior…
Read More »The Town of Brookline, in partnership with the Brookline Arts Center (BAC), is hosting a community engagement event on Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 5:00-7:45pm at the Beacon Street Art Gallery (1351 Beacon Street) in Coolidge Corner to kick-off…
Read More »The Brookline Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations is actively collecting a list of more Brookline businesses that are accessible, and/or are majority owned by people of color, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, and persons with…
Read More »Brookline Public Health Nurse Elizabeth Bennett had some ready answers to queries about the coronavirus during a visit last month to the Senior Center. Elizabeth Bennett, Public Health Nurse with Brookline’s Department of Public Health and…
Read More »With the COVID-19 cloud still hovering over the world, although less ominously in this country at this time, Brookline’s Director of Public Health and Human Services, Sigalle Reiss, had some encouraging news to report last month to the…
Read More »Join 10 Brookline Place Committee members and Town staff to learn about the proposed redevelopment of 10 Brookline Place for laboratory Life Science and other related uses, and share your input on this potential redevelopment project during an…
Read More »Click Here To View The Town of Brookline: October 14 Update From The Driscoll Project Team
Read More »Click here for the full…
Read More »THE BEATLES AND BEYOND: BEGINNINGS OF PROGRESSIVE ROCK On Monday, October 17 at 1:00pm at the Senior Center, join John Clark and his Great American Music Experience as he presents this music education program. In the mid-1960s, music producer…
Read More »Click here to View the Information About Town of Brookline : Update from the Driscoll Project Team - October…
Read More »There is an abundance of information in our monthly Senior News & Events. You can find the October 2022 edition as well as any past or future editions of the newsletter here: Link to Newsletters Congressional Office Hours Stephanie Gray,…
Read More »September 30 Update from the Driscoll Project Team Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly…
Read More »OCTOBER 2022 BROOKLINE SENIOR CENTER UPDATE & NEWSLETTER Happy October! In celebration of Indigenous People’s Day, the Senior Center will be closed on Monday, October 10th. As always, there is an abundance of information in our monthly…
Read More »You’re Invited to Support Brookline’s Older Adults Autumn Benefit (without the Gala) October 2022 Out of concern for the safety and health of our vulnerable older adults, we are once again postponing an in-person gathering. …
Read More »September 23 Update from the Driscoll Project Team Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Owner's Project Manager's (OPM)…
Read More »Rhumba! Samba! Tango! Mambo! On Wednesday, September 28 at 1:00pm at the Senior Center, John Clark and his Great American Music Experience presents this music education program in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. It includes dance hits and…
Read More »Brookline Day returns on Sunday, September 18 from 11:00am- 3:00pm in a new location—Coolidge Corner! Be sure to stop by the Council on Aging and BrooklineCAN information tables that day to say hello! For the most up-to-date information,…
Read More »Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 9/13 - 9/16 If you have any questions or concerns about the project,…
Read More »Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 9/6 - 9/9 If you have any questions or concerns about the project, please…
Read More »There is an abundance of information in our monthly Senior News & Events. You can find the September 2022 edition as well as any past or future editions of the newsletter here: Link to newsletters Improvisation Games for Fun! Do you watch…
Read More »Brookline Senior Center Volunteer Spotlight Jewelry Making with Rebecca Riccio As Rebecca was finishing her junior year of high school, she reached out to volunteer at the Brookline Senior Center for the summer. She had an interest in making…
Read More »SEPTEMBER 2022 BROOKLINE SENIOR CENTER UPDATE & NEWSLETTER Happy Labor Day! The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, September 5th in observation of Labor Day. Tuesday, September 6th is Primary Day—please make sure to vote! As…
Read More »The Brookline Senior Center’s Summer 2022 Center Connections newsletter is now available and includes the following articles: - Another Unusual Year - The ever-changing but never-ending pandemic - Volunteers of the Year - All The Lonely…
Read More »Click Here To View The Town of Brookline - August 26 Update From The Driscoll Project Team
Read More »The Brookline Commission on Disability shares this month's need-to-knows in its August 2022 issue of "Access Brookline." The following article was submitted by the Brookline Commission on Disability (BCOD). Did you know? Brookline resident…
Read More »BROOKLINE – Town Administrator Mel Kleckner would like to remind residents that as of Aug. 15, the town will solely offer the Passport Parking app for residents and visitors, and that the ParkBoston app no longer operates in the Town of…
Read More »Brookline Booksmith and Stop & Shop are two local businesses who are offering support for the Brookline Senior Center and you can too. Learn more about these initiatives and how you can support below! Brookline Booksmith’s Community…
Read More »Summer Concert & Ice Cream Social On Monday August 15 at 1:00pm at the Senior Center, Bob DiCicco and Maureen Pilot cordially invite you to take a musical stroll through The American Popular Songbook. Beautiful tunes penned by the likes of…
Read More »Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 8/8 - 8/12 If you have any questions or concerns about the project, please…
Read More »August 5 Update from the Driscoll Project Team Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report:…
Read More »From the Office of Congressman Auchincloss Stephanie Gray, Constituent Services Representative from the Office of Congressman Auchincloss, will be holding Office Hours at the Senior Center on Wednesday, August 10 from 10:30am-12:30pm. You can…
Read More »Our legendary and beloved Agnes Rogers passed away peacefully on July 29, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Agnes was in her 103rd year, and a lifelong Brookline resident. She was a longtime advocate for tenant’s rights at public housing,…
Read More »AUGUST 2022 BROOKLINE SENIOR CENTER UPDATE & NEWSLETTER Happy summer! July is ending with an extended heat wave. Please seek relief in one of the Town’s cooling sites, including the Brookline Senior Center. In addition, drink lots of…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. -Three Week Look-Aheads: 7/25 - 8/14 -Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 7/25 -…
Read More »BROOKLINE -- Recreation Director Leigh Jackson and the town of Brookline would like to invite Brookline-based businesses to register for booths, tables, and sponsorships at the upcoming Brookline Day. To register for a booth and learn more about…
Read More »Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Three Week Look-Aheads: 7/18 - 8/6 - Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 7/18 - 7/22 If you have any…
Read More »While the Senior Center always encourages folks to shop local and support our wonderful Brookline businesses, we know that many of you also shop on Amazon. If you are already an Amazon customer, did you know that you can simultaneously support the…
Read More »Click here to View the Information About Town of Brookline News : Access Brookline The Patch - July…
Read More »-Three Week Look-Aheads: 7/11 - 8/6 -Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 7/11 - 7/15 If you have any questions or concerns about the project, please submit them here. Previous project updates can be found at…
Read More »Boston’s Back Bay On Monday, July 18 at 1:00pm, join us at the Senior Center for another interesting talk by author Anthony Sammarco! In his book “Back Bay through Time,” Anthony M. Sammarco outlines the Back Bay of Boston, a…
Read More »There is an abundance of information in our monthly Senior News & Events. You can find the July 2022 edition as well as any past or future editions of the newsletter here: https://www.brooklinema.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=37 MARIE LAVINE MEMORIAL…
Read More »BROOKLINE – Recreation Director Leigh Jackson is pleased to announce that the Town of Brookline will host its annual Brookline Day celebration this September. The town will be piloting a new location in an effort to support local businesses…
Read More »Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 6/27 - 7/1 If you have any questions or concerns about the project,…
Read More »Click here to Read More Information Town Of Brookline Senior Center Update and Newsletter - July 2022
Read More »Click Here To View Town of Brookline - June 24 Update from the Driscoll Project Team
Read More »Town of Brookline Council on Aging News - Exciting Events at the Brookline Senior Center Don't miss out on all of the exciting events at the Brookline Senior Center! Check out a few of our highlights from next week below. If you would like to…
Read More »Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 6/13 - 6/17 If you have any questions or concerns about the project,…
Read More »Latest Bellingham COVID-19 cases as of Monday June 6, 2022. These numbers will be reported on Monday's and Thursdays only, unless there is a significant increase or event that warrants daily reporting. Tested - Number Not Available through…
Read More »Click here to View the Information About Town of Brookline - June 3 Update from the Driscoll Project Team
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. - Three Week Look-Aheads: 5/23 - 6/14 - Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report: 5/23…
Read More »Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss announced that the Town of Brookline is reinstating a mask requirement in town owned buildings where the public gathers such as the Library, Senior Center, and Public Schools,…
Read More »Dear Driscoll Neighbors: Please see the links below with information and timelines regarding an update on the construction around the Driscoll School. -Three Week Look-Aheads: 5/9 - 5/28 -Owner's Project Manager's (OPM) Weekly Report:…
Read More »Click Here To View Town of Brookline May 6 Update From The Driscoll Project Team
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