Dover is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,558 at the 2000 census.

Located about southwest of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, Dover is a residential town nestled on the south banks of the Charles River. Almost all of the residential zoning requires or larger. As recently as the early 1960s, 75% of its annual town budget was allocated to snow removal, as only a mile and a half of the town's roads are state highway. The nickname of Dover is the town of friendship.

For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Dover, please see the article Dover (CDP), Massachusetts.

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Dover is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,558 at the 2000 census.

Located about southwest of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, Dover is a residential town nestled on the south banks of the Charles River. Almost all of the residential zoning requires or larger. As recently as the early 1960s, 75% of its annual town budget was allocated to snow removal, as only a mile and a half of the town's roads are state highway. The nickname of Dover is the town of friendship.

For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Dover, please see the article Dover (CDP), Massachusetts.

History

The first recorded settlement of Dover was in 1640. It was later established as the Springfield Parish of Dedham in 1748, and incorporated as District Dedham in 1784. Dover was officially incorporated as a town in 1836.

The Caryl House, 107 Dedham St., Dover, dates from circa 1777 and was home to Dover's first minister, Benjamin Caryl, his son George, who was the town's first doctor, and their descendants until 1897. It has been owned by the town and operated by the Historical Society since 1920. The house retains its architectural integrity and has been carefully restored to reflect life in the 1790s when the first two Caryl families lived and worked there together. The Caryl House is open to the public April through June and September through November on Saturday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. or by appointment. Admission is free of charge.