About Norwell and the Surrounding Area

The Town of Norwell is located in Plymouth County, situated along the picturesque North River, 21.2 square miles and still retains much of its past rural character. Norwell was originally settled in 1636 as part of the settlement of Satuit (later Scituate), which encompasses present day Scituate and Norwell. In 1849, the portion of Scituate now known as Norwell broke away from Scituate and incorporated as South Scituate. Later, in 1888, the Town incorporated again as the Town of Norwell.

The Town was named for Henry Norwell, a dry goods merchant who provided funds for the maintenance of the Town roads. Shipbuilding was a major industry on the 1700's through the early 1800's. Some of the finest frigates, schooners and merchant vessels to ever sail were produced in Norwell. Today, Norwell is an affluent suburban community with over 10,000 residents and provides modern schools, shopping, churches, libraries, health facilities, a wild life preserve and other support facilities as well as two large industrial parks.

There are several recreational areas throughout the Town offering a variety of outdoor activities, including; Valley Swamp Conservation Land, Stetson Meadows Conservation Land, Albert F. Norris Reservation, Black Pond Natural Preserve, North River Salt Marsh, Cuffey Hill Reservation, Miller Woods and the Donovan Property.

Education

Norwell has its own school department for its approximately 2,300 students. There are two elementary schools for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the Grace F. Cole Elementary School in the western part of town, and the William G. Vinal Elementary School in the eastern part. The Norwell Middle School, located near the modern Town Hall on Route 123, serves grades 6-8. Norwell High School is located near Assinippi and serves students from ninth through twelfth grade. Norwell High School is a competitive school, known for its academic excellence and outstanding curriculum. Norwell High's teams are known as the Clippers (in honor of the town's former shipbuilding industry), and their colors are blue and gold. The school's major rival is Hanover High, whom the football team plays in their annual Thanksgiving Day game. Norwell is known for its extremely successful math team, who have won their division in the last three seasons, beating out the competitive Notre Dame Academy, as well as its award-winning drama club. Norwell girls lacrosse is very well known throughout the South Shore, having won three division two state championships.

Norwell is also home to the South Shore Charter Public School, a charter school which serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. There are no private schools in the town. High school students also have the option of attending South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School in neighboring Hanover free of charge. The nearest college to the town is Massasoit Community College in Brockton.
[edit] Transportation

Route 3 passes through the town twice, across the southern portion of the town and another short portion near the west of the town. There are no exits in the town off this freeway, but there are exits, 13 and 14, in the interim space between the two portions and just north of the second portion. Both access routes which immediately enter the town. The major route through the town is Route 123, which passes from east to west through the town, just before its end at Route 3A in neighboring Scituate. Routes 53 and 228 also pass through the town, with Route 228 ending just over the town line in Rockland at its intersection with Route 3.

Norwell has no rail or air service within the town. The nearest rail service is the Greenbush line of the MBTA's commuter rail in neighboring Scituate, just one mile from the Norwell town line. The nearest regional airport is Marshfield Municipal Airport; the nearest national and international service can be reached at Logan International Airport in Boston.