The Norfolk & Dedham Group

As early Dedham, Massachusetts residents were establishing new farms and businesses, it became apparent that the community needed financial protection against various risks such as fire. As a result, The Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Company was established by a group of prominent citizens, electing John Endicott as the company's first president.[3] In 1847, it built an office building at 4 Pearl Street in Dedham Square.[4] For the next 40 years, the building also housed the Dedham Institution for Savings.[4] That building also housed the Dedham Bank and as a home for the Norfolk County grand jury.[5]

The company quickly grew and evolved with the industry and expanded to various states in the Northeast. In the 1950s, doing business in 26 states, the group constructed its current headquarters building along the Charles River. N&D eventually retrenched on its core business and now focuses on general P&C insurance in Massachusetts and New Jersey. About 400 independent agencies sell Norfolk & Dedham insurance products. The company employs about 150 people and manages roughly $850 million in assets.[6]

The companies that make up The Norfolk & Dedham Insurance Group are:

• Norfolk & Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Company – Established 1825
• Fitchburg Mutual Insurance Company – Established 1847
• Dorchester Mutual Insurance Company – Established 1855

The group is a primary sponsor of the annual James Joyce Ramble, a USATF certified 10K road race, and the largest literary road race in the country.[7] The race takes place in the center of Dedham, and the route runs by the headquarters building near the fifth mile mark.

The insurance carrier participates in the Cristo Rey Network by hiring high school students as part of their work study program.

Twice a year, the company conducts volunteer days in support of charitable organizations working locally to the areas the company services.

• Clarke, Wm. Horatio (1903). Mid-Century Memories of Dedham. Dedham Historical Society.