Seniors Stop in Westwood

So where did this senior blogger come up with Westwood today? Dr. Edward Zarrow, a Latin teacher at Westwood High School in Westwood, Massachusetts was named the 2016 National Language Teacher by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).  Congrats to Edward. I was associated with ACTFL for years and a member of their Executive Council.

A new Westwood High School was recently constructed at a cost of $45M, and the old school, built in 1957, was demolished. The gymnasium and swimming facility from the old school were refurbished and are now part of the new high school campus.

The school facilities also include a new multi-use artificial turf field named after former Westwood High School principal and teacher Charles Flahive with a synthetic track, both of which are open to the public. Westwood is also home to Xaverian Brothers High School, a Catholic prep school for boys.

Seniors Enjoy Another ‘Best Place To Live’

Senior travelers will find Westwood in Norfolk County, Massachusetts 12 miles from Boston with a population right at 15,000.  In July 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Westwood 13th on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the United States.

Boston Magazine included Gay Street in Westwood on its list of the Best Streets in the Boston area. Westwood is currently the 16th wealthiest town in Massachusetts.

Westwood is recognized for its quality education. Students consistently score in the top percentiles on national tests, MCAS, and the overwhelming majority of students graduating from the high school go on to higher education.

The Town has two libraries, a senior center, Youth & Family Services, and numerous community-sponsored events for the Town’s residents. The 1,200 acre Hale Reservation is a popular spot for conservation and for taking a stroll.

Seniors Enjoy Historical Districts

Westwood was first settled in 1641 and was part of the town of Dedham until it was officially incorporated in 1897. It was the last town to split from the original town of Dedham. It was originally to have been named the “Town of Nahatan.” Like so many villages and towns on the east coast, names were changed a number of times.

The Colburn School-High Street Historic District encompasses the village center of Westwood. It is largely residential in character, with 37 houses, most of which date from the 18th to the mid-19th centuries.

And to add one more historic site,  Fisher School—High Street Historic District is a historic district on High Street, distinguished by its concentration of Federal and Greek Revival houses from the early 19th century.

Seniors, plan to drop by Westwood on your visit to the east coast and Boston. -jeb