When a wealthy merchant, Timothy Smith and his wife Mary Ellen both died in 1918 their final will and testament specified that the proceeds of their bequest be utilized to benefit the residents in Old Roxbury.

In 1996 then Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the City of Boston established the Timothy Smith Fund for Old Roxbury using Timothy Smith’s gift. The fund established technology and computer learning centers – now called Timothy Smith Technology Labs (TSTLs) in non-profit organizations located in Roxbury.

In 2003, the Timothy Smith Network (TSN) was established as a not for profit organization to administer the Timothy Smith Fund.