Widely regarded as one of the most affluent and highly educated suburbs in the United States, at least 66% of the households have at least one person with a Masters degree or beyond. The town has within its boundaries
Wellesley College and
Babson College, two private educational institutions, as well as
Massachusetts Bay Community College and
Olin College.
More than 350 years ago, when a handful of men first settled the area around the Charles River that is now known as Wellesley, they were so delighted with their new town that they named it "Contentment." Although the name has changed over the centuries, the feeling of pride and satisfaction on the part of the residents toward their home still remains strong. To this day, their priority is to keep the town clean and safe. Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, a wealthy businessman and town benefactor whose mansion was named "Wellesley" in commemoration of his wife, whose maiden name was Welles. His neighbor, Henry Durant founded Wellesley College in her honor as well. After much debate, on April 6, 1881 the Massachusetts legislature christened the new town of Wellesley.
In the 1830s, the railroad came to town, bringing Boston businessmen and the most modern way of life, forever changing the face of the quiet town. By the 1920s it was recognized as one of the leading suburbs of Boston, becoming a center for shopping when Filene's department store opened its first branch.
Wellesley's current dedication is to education (through three colleges and an outstanding public school system) and to providing a remarkable quality of life for her residents.
