Historic Petersham is surrounded by nature 26 miles from Amherst
Bordered by the Quabbin Reservoir, Petersham, 26 miles from Amherst, is made up of nature preserves and farmland. The area’s natural scenery and rural location are some of its biggest draws for new residents. “It offers a quiet, rural lifestyle with easy access to outdoor recreation,” says Kristen Dodge, a Realtor with LAER Realty Partners, who has sold several homes in the area. “Many residents appreciate the town’s rich history, strong sense of community and commitment to conservation.” The town formed the Historic District Commission in 1967, maintaining the over 40 historic structures lining Main Street. “Petersham is a quaint, close-knit town with a rural, family-friendly feel. It’s not trendy or commercialized, but rather a place where people appreciate nature, historic homes and a slower pace of life,” Dodge says.
Hiking and conservation
The Quabbin Reservoir surrounds several uninhabited islands off the coast of Petersham and provides water to Boston and its surrounding communities. The reservoir is also used for recreation, with designated fishing areas and boat launches. Only those with fishing equipment may rent a boat, and private boats must be decontaminated, inspected and approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Near the water, Dana Town Common is an archeological landscape preserved by the National Park Service. Due to the construction of the reservoir, the town was ceded to Petersham, and the residents had to move away. The town buildings were removed, but the foundations and historical plaques remain. Once farmland, the Brooks Woodland Preserve contains 13 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. On the other side of town, the Petersham State Forest is filled with scenes of babbling brooks and nature trails surrounded by tall, red oaks and pine trees. Bird watching and hiking are popular pastimes in the park. Nearby, the 4,000-acre Harvard Forest is used as a living classroom and laboratory for Harvard students to research forest health and generate sustainable solutions to environmental issues. The Cutthroat Brook Tree Farm borders the Harvard Forest and is a 350-acre tree farm filled with public trails decorated with mermaid and gnome statues. From April to October, the owners host a Storybook Trail.
Classic and modern homes in a rural landscape
Most homes line Main Street and are built close to the road. Further out, houses are on farmland or found down long driveways. Homes are in the farmhouse, saltbox, Cape Cod, Colonial Revival and New Traditional styles ranging from $400,000 to $650,000. “Many properties come with large lots, and you’ll find everything from classic New England-style homes to more modern builds that blend with the natural landscape,” says Dodge. Houses are built east of the Quabbin Reservoir, far from its shoreline and surrounding forest. Due to Petersham’s topography, most homes are also at a higher elevation, mitigating flood risk. To avoid attracting wildlife, Petersham residents must secure their trash. Ticks are also a risk due to a high deer population, says Dodge. Petersham has long and frigid winters, though major roadways are regularly plowed. The CAP Index crime score for Petersham is 1 out of 10. The national average is 4.
Students attend local and regional schools
The Petersham Public School District oversees the area. Children attend the Petersham Center School, which gets a C-minus from Niche, for kindergarten through sixth grade. Students continue to Ralph C. Mahar Regional School, which receives a C-plus for seventh through 12th grade. High school students may apply to the public Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, which gets a B. The school offers academic courses in tandem with career-centered programs such as dental assistance, plumbing, and masonry.
Commuters use state routes
“Many residents commute to Worcester, Amherst, or even Boston for work, while others are self-employed or work remotely,” says Dodge. “Some work locally in education, conservation, or small businesses.” Worcester is 29 miles south on State Route 32, and Amherst is 26 miles north on State Route 122 in the opposite direction. Commuters can reach both locations in under an hour. Boston is 86 miles away using State Route 2 and can be reached in under 2 hours. The Worcester Regional Airport is 25 miles south, and the Baystate Wing Hospital is 27 miles away. Several historic houses of worship line Main Street, including First Congregational Parish, Orthodox Congregational Church of Petersham and Saint Peter’s Catholic Church.
Shopping and dining along Main Street
Clamber Hill Inn & Restaurant, off Main Street, is a reservation-only restaurant serving upscale dinners in a bed and breakfast. Styled and painted like a 1950s home, Quabbin Woods Restaurant serves diner-style breakfast and lunch. The Country Store, a grocery store and restaurant since 1840, also serves breakfast and lunch, meals to go and fresh produce. For more grocery options, Hannaford is 10 miles away, and Market Basket is 7 miles away.
Town events
The Petersham Friday Market is a small farmers market that runs every Friday from May to October at the Petersham Town Common. Live music performances are held during the market, and vendors sell fresh produce, baked goods and artisanal crafts. During maple syrup season, local farms open sugarhouses to sell gallons of their homemade syrup. “It’s a big part of local culture,” says Dodge. The Petersham Brass Band has been around since 1914 and continues to play concerts at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays in the Gazebo, at the Petersham Town Common. Another part of town history, the Petersham Memorial Library was built in 1891 and hosts programs throughout the year, such as Storytime, Dungeons & Dragons and a Lego club.
