Lincoln, Massachusetts

Lincoln could be called the “best of both worlds.” The town is situated in an ideal commuter location – 13 miles northwest of Boston with easy access to Route 128 businesses. But the town’s historic character and bucolic landscapes have been carefully maintained.

A Natural Setting

Preserving Lincoln’s rural roots is important to the town. Commercial development has been kept to a minimum. Starting in 1957, Lincoln was one of the first communities in the nation to begin preserving land through conservation restrictions. By ongoing public and private efforts, currently 35% of Lincoln’s land is permanently preserved, and trails offer public access to forests, fields, ponds, and vistas. Two certified cooperative organic farms operate in town as does the Codman Community Farm and the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Drumlin Farm.

History

History abounds in Lincoln. The town was founded in 1754 and played an important role in the American Revolution. Paul Revere was arrested and released in Lincoln by the British during his famous ride to Lexington and Concord. Lincoln Minutemen were among the first to arrive at the Old North Bridge in Concord to confront the British on April 19, 1775. Large portions of the Minuteman National Park are within Lincoln’s borders.

Parts of world-famous Walden Woods lie within Lincoln. In 1840s, Henry David Thoreau set up his cabin along the shore of Walden Pond and wrote Walden, which serves as a basis for the environmentalist movement. Lincoln is home to the Thoreau Institute, housing collections of the Thoreau Society, Emerson Society, and Walden Wood Project.

Art and Design

Lincoln also figures on the world’s design stage. While the center of town and North Lincoln abound in historic colonial and federal-era houses, the arrival in 1938 of Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus, heralded Lincoln’s importance to mid-century modern design. Gropius and Marcel Breuer each built their own homes in Lincoln and inspired a host of modernist architects to build within the town. Today, the Gropius House is Historic New England’s most visited house museum. Cutting-edge contemporary art is found at the Decordova Museum and Sculpture Park, which sits on a 35-acre site in town.

Living in Lincoln

Lincoln is a draw for people who are looking for a top-notch school system, excellent access to Cambridge and Boston, natural beauty, varied housing styles, and a small-town community.

Lincoln Statistics

Population: 8,056
Median Household income: $79,003
Median Home price: $1,100,000
Property Taxes: $9.86 per $1,000 in value.