Roxbury Heritage State Park

Probably no period in American history is quite as exciting as that of the Revolutionary War. A visit to Roxbury Heritage State Park can take you back to those stirring days. Roxbury Heritage is a historic-themed park centered on the Dillaway-Thomas House, with an adjacent park and panoramic views of Boston.

The Dillaway-Thomas House

The Dillaway-Thomas House was originally built in 1750. During the Revolutionary War, it was owned by John Thomas, a commander of the Continental Army, and used as his headquarters. The house was restored in the main, while some areas were left to show previous work done to the house, thus creating a sort of architectural timeline of restorations. Interpretive exhibits at the house show Roxbury's past and present.

The Knox Expedition

In 1775, General George Washington was desperate for heavy weaponry to use for offensive operations. He commanded Colonel Henry Knox to transport the cannons and other heavy artillery captured at Fort Ticonderoga to Washington's camp outside of Boston. 60 tons of weaponry was transported over the course of three months in the dead of winter, finally arriving in January 1776. This amazing feat of organization is commemorated by markers along what is now known as the Henry Knox Trail. One such marker was placed at the Roxbury Heritage Park, commemorating Roxbury as a stop on the Henry Knox Trail and John Thomas' role in ending the Siege of Boston.

So much of history that seems dry and dull in textbooks comes alive with a visit to the places where the history happened. Roxbury Heritage State Park enlivens the ghosts of the Revolutionary War, reminding you of a time when heroes walked the earth.