Made to Last Forever:
A Family. A House. A Nation. 

In the shadows of the English Plague of 1625, Jonathan Fairbanks finds himself snubbed in his father’s will and thrust into the chaos of King Charles’s persecution of Puritans. Risking everything, he sails with his young family over treacherous seas to the uncertainty of the wilderness founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Jonathan struggles to carve a place for his family in the new town of Dedham. His wife, Grace strives to overcome her superstitions, doubts and hardships while sustaining their family. Just when Jonathan sees security for the family, his son Jonas asserts his own ambitions, contrary to his father’s. Jonas first chooses to work at Hammersmith, the first successful ironworks of the colonies against his father’s wishes, then is sent away to a newer frontier. There he finds a way to marry for love.

“A remarkable tale of the Fairbanks family. I felt like I knew each main character personally. It’s accurate and detailed–everyone interested in life of the early Massachusetts Bay Colony should read this book.” Stuart Christie, Colonial Society of Massachusetts member and Fairbanks House docent. Dedham Historical Society board member.

“Intriguing, emotionally charged story based on the facts about the original Fairbanks family leading to a legacy of descendants that developed this nation.” Tina Blood: librarian and past president of the Fairbanks Family in America, Inc.

“Captivating, touching–masterfully portrays the complexity of life of the past. A powerful reflection on the present.”Allison Stabile

Soft cover: ISBN 979-8-9988978-0-1
Ebook: ISBN 969-8-9988978-1-8
Audiobook: in production

Sharmin Fairbanks McKenny grew up on a traditional farm working with crops, livestock, gardening, making cider, preserving, and butchering. She was a pioneer in many ways, soloing in an airplane before she could drive and as a
part of the sixth programs with civilian flight nurses on helicopters.
Ms. McKenny has visited all lands of her ancestors in England and the United States including the 1637 Fairbanks House Museum in Dedham, MA. She is now a board member of the Fairbanks Family of America, Inc.
Sharmin and her husband live in Florida. They have two grown children, Aaron and Macy. Among her favoite pets were a Cocker Spanial, Harvest, and a monkey, Tiki. She enjoys reading, writing, golf, travel, her Orphan Orchid Program and Historical Research.

Experience in:
Speaking, television, and media promotion the Kansas City, St. Joseph Helicopter Life Flight Program. She also participated in promotions for the University of Missouri and a TV commercial for the American Nurses Association.

More recently:
Speaking: large and small groups:
Classroom presentations - University of Kansas.
Daughters of the American Revolution, October 2025.
National Fairbanks Reunion, July 2023.
Book Launch Cocktail at The Club at Grandezza, November 2025.

Radio: Phoenix Radio, with Howard Priestly, Halifax, England, July 2022, “Fairbanks History in West Yorkshire, England.”

Television: Gulf Coast News: Estero’s ‘Orchid Lady’ spreads happiness in a beautiful way, April 2021.

Organizations:
Fairbanks Family in America, Inc.
Dedham Museum & Archives
Gulf Coast Writer’s Association
Historical Novel Society
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Grandezza GirlFriends
Neighborhood Watch Representative at the Club at Grandezza
Orphan Orchid Program at Grandezza

The Fairbanks House
National Landmark as the Oldest Frame-House in North America

Timeless Importance of
Made to Last Forever and the Fairbanks House

Made to Last Forever: A Family. A House. A Nation. not only holds historical importance for The Fairbanks House built in 1637 as the oldest frame-house still standing as a National Landmark in North America. It tells the story of the early beginning of the family that went on to develop the nation in significant ways through inventions, the arts and sports talents, medicine, national and state politics, participation in all wars, and more. It’s a family that continues to contribute today.

The book reaches beyond the Fairbanks House and the Fairbanks family as it represents the celebration of the 400th anniversaries of Boston and the Massachusetts Bay Colony (MBC) in 2030; Dedham, MA, one of the first two inland towns in the MBC, 2036/37; and The Fairbanks House in 2037.

Beyond that immediate area, one of the original sons, Jonas, worked at Hammersmith, the first successful ironworks in the colonies. Now known as Saugus Ironworks, National Park Services, it will celebrate its 400th anniversary around 2049. It has been said by E.N. Harley in Ironworks on the Saugus, that this industry endeavor could represent the beginning of corporations in this country.

Discussion Topics

Similarities of the 1625 Plague and 2020 Covid
Settling the Moon, Mars, or Massachusetts Bay Colony
A Town or A Fraternity
Was the Nation Founded on Religious Freedom
The Fairbanks House: Oldest Frame-House in America
Women in Early Massachusetts Bay Colony
Earliest Postal System in the Colonies

Contact

cell: 239-989-2334
email: sharminmc@gmail.com