To support seniors (60+) in the community, the Council on Aging was established by a vote at the Duxbury Annual Town Meeting in 1984. It started as a part-time department focusing its efforts on providing service to homebound seniors in the areas of information, transportation, and food service. Operations were conducted from a small office, first located in the basement of Town Hall and then in the Girl Scout House. A small group of citizens organized and formed the Friends of the Council on Aging. They, in turn, marshaled a fundraising effort and purchased a bus that enabled seniors to shop and travel to doctor's appointments. This was the first of many fundraising activities organized by the Friends.

In 1993, the Duxbury Council on Aging accepted the offer of space in the Lower Alden School, which led to the creation of the first Senior Center. With increased space, the Duxbury Senior Center was able to expand the services and programs available to older adults.

In 1994, planning for a permanent home for the Senior Center began. In 1996, the Town voted to create and hire a seasoned professional to fill the Director position. In 1997, during the Annual Town Meeting, the Council on Aging received approval of its budget, leading to the design and construction of a new state-of-the-art Senior Center. At that time, the Friends of the Council on Aging pledged that if the Town built the facility, they would furnish it. The capital campaign began shortly after the Town Meeting, and nearly $300,000 was pledged by citizens and local businesses. The Friends are proud to report that every pledge from this campaign was fulfilled.

In November 2001, the new Center opened, fully furnished and ready to meet the needs of Duxbury's growing older adult population. Its success has been reflected in increased participation and an ever-expanding variety of educational, recreational, health, fitness, and social programs.

In 2019, after 35 years of serving the senior community and in response to tremendous growth, the Town voted to add a 4,160-square-foot addition to the building. Construction began at the end of 2018 and was completed in June 2019, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in July. Among those attending the celebration were State Senator Patrick O'Connor, State Representative Josh Cutler, State Representative Kathleen LaNatra, Town Manager René Read, and Selectboard Member Ted Flynn.

As the organization continued to grow, it became increasingly important to establish a long-range vision. The Center developed a strategic plan guided by five core goals: to be a welcoming community for all; to provide exceptional programming; to be responsible stewards of resources; to communicate effectively; and to support the independence, health, and well-being of older adults.

The Duxbury Senior Center has been awarded National Accreditation by the National Institute of Senior Centers three times, most recently in 2020. At that time, it was one of only 41 senior centers in the nation to have achieved accreditation three times, among approximately 15,000 senior centers nationwide. The accreditation report praised the Center's outstanding staff, strong support from the Town, broad range of high-quality programs, commitment to serving individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, and its resilience and creativity in responding to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A New Chapter: The Center

In 2026, the Duxbury Senior Center entered a new chapter by rebranding as The Center. While the organization remains the Town of Duxbury's Council on Aging, the new name reflects a broader vision of healthy aging, lifelong learning, and community connection. The rebranding recognizes that today's older adults are more active, engaged, and diverse than ever before, and that the organization has evolved far beyond the traditional concept of a senior center.

Today, The Center serves as a vibrant community hub where adults age 60 and older can learn, connect, volunteer, stay active, and access essential services that support independence and well-being. With hundreds of educational, fitness, arts, travel, social, and wellness opportunities offered each year, The Center continues to build on the vision established in 1984 while embracing innovation, partnerships, and new ways to enrich the lives of older adults. Guided by its mission of helping people age well and remain connected to their community, The Center looks forward to serving future generations of older adults in Duxbury.