Located west of Brookline and Newton is Wellesley Massachusetts. A smaller town than both, Wellesley has a population of just over 26,000. It is an incredibly sought after neighborhood and holds a perception of being one of the most affluent towns in Massachusetts. However, this perception is largely based on its close proximity to Newton, Brookline, and Weston, rather than the actual figures. Despite this misconception, Wellesley remains a distinguished and beautiful community.
The Town of Wellesley is best known as the home to Wellesley College. Founded in 1875 by Paul Durant, one of America’s great philanthropists, Wellesley College is one of America’s most prestigious institutions of learning. Durant named the college to honor his neighbor, Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, a wealthy businessman and town benefactor whose mansion was named "Wellesley" in commemoration of his wife, whose maiden name was Welles. The town, originally carrying the identity of West Needham, soon broke away in 1881 assuming the name Wellesley as a tribute to benefactor Hunnewell.
Wellesley College is unique in that it is an all-women’s college, and ranks as the number 1 women’s liberal arts school, and a top 5 overall liberal arts school by U.S. News and World Report. The college sits on a beautiful, picturesque campus that includes Lake Waban, and serene forests and meadows. Wellesley College served as the setting for the recent major film, Mona Lisa Smile, starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles. The father of American landscape architecture once commented that the campus is “not merely beautiful, but with a marked individual character not represented so far as I know on the ground of any other college in the country."
Each year the Boston Marathon runs its course down Route 135 and on to Route 16 in Wellesley. Wellesley College students line the road providing huge fan support for the runners, and it is said that this is the loudest portion of the race!
Wellesley is also home to Babson College and Massachusetts Bay College.
Aside from the famed college, Wellesley’s public education is also top-notch. Wellesley High School. It was reported in 2004 that 94% of its students had planned on attending a 4-year college, while remaining 6% planned on attending a 2-year college. Wellesley students also excel in performing arts, extra curricular activities and athletics.
Wellesley residents enjoy a number of cultural and artistic events. The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra offers concerts at the MassBay Community College. The Wellesley Summer Theater, which keeps its home in Wellesley College, offers award winning shows as well as a children’s program. The Wellesley Country Club has a 9 hole golf course and was opened in 1910, and has hosted many Massachusetts Opens.
Wellesley is located just south west of Newton. MBTA Commuter trains offer commuters access to Downtown Boston. The Mass Pike (I-90) is not far away, and Routes 16 and 135 intersect in Wellesley. Route 9 is also a major line of transportation for this town.
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