Travel Back in Time: The Grafton Common

Today, the hosts a wide range of community events, including concert series, farmer's markets, antique appraisals and the annual Thanksgiving turkey hunt.

Even more frequently, the Common serves as a place where people can bring a blanket and relax while their children play on the grassy expanse.

The area is truly a Common treasure, enjoyed by all ages and in ways that continue to evolve with the times.

"For Grafton's first 100 years the Common was the site of the original meetinghouse where activities of both church and local government took place. Even when the meetinghouse was moved, the Common remained the heart of the community,'' said Linda Casey, president of the Grafton Historical Society, in a prepared statement.

The Common "was where community celebrations, such as parades and rallies, were held. It was where concerts were held. It was where soldiers were sent off to war. It was where the end of the war was celebrated,'' she said. "Even today that historic connection is carried on by the Farmer's Market, Grafton History Day, community concerts and the many other activities that bring us together as a community. Grafton Common is the heart of the Grafton Community."

During the holidays, the trees are lit, giving the snow-covered Common an iconic New England look. During the lighting ceremonies, Santa has been known to visit, delighting youngsters while seasonal music plays.

The Common has deep roots in the community's history and heart. 

The Common was established in 1738. The original 40 proprietors of Grafton voted to set aside four acres as common land. The first meetinghouse of the Congregational Puritan settlement was built in 1730 and stood at the Common for 100 years.

In 1845, a portion of the original Common was fenced, graded and planted with trees. 

In 1935, the current bandstand was built by Hollywood producers for a scene in "Ah Wilderness,'' which was filmed in Grafton.

The oldest structure on the Grafton Common, the , was built by shoe manufacturer Samuel Wood in 1805. The inn provided a stopping place for food, drink and overnight stays as stagecoaches passed through from Hartford, Conn., to Boston, or Providence, R.I., to Worcester.

The Grafton Inn still stands and still serves meals to tourists and locals alike as they visit the Common area and savor its vintage New England charms.