Community Organizations

A historical society working out of a 1748 house, a fund that has been quietly covering neighbours’ emergencies since 1987, a friends group that underwrites what the library puts on, and the volunteers who run Ashland’s own television channels. Every organization on this page takes volunteers, and several of them are how a resident with no title at all ends up in the room.

Community Organizations

Organization	What they do & contact
Ashland Historical Society	Works out of the 1748 Ocean House and provides information on the history of Ashland and its people, in its own words to preserve and present that history. Open to the public by appointment. It incorporated on May 29, 1909.
Friends of the Ashland Public Library	Underwrites the library’s public programming: art exhibits, museum passes, summer reading, craft and art classes, film screenings and community projects. Joining is the shortest route from caring about the library to funding it.
Ashland Emergency Fund	A 501(c)(3) that has provided temporary financial support to Ashland residents in need since 1987, describing itself as the town’s behind-the-scenes safety net.
Ashland Food Pantry	Addresses food insecurity through access to quality, nutritious food and basic everyday items. Run by the town. 508-532-7949.
Decisions at Every Turn Coalition	A community coalition working, in its own words, to prevent, reduce and solve the problems that can lead to youth substance abuse. Its site carries a section written for students.
Sudbury Valley Trustees	A land trust protecting natural areas and farmland across the 36 communities around the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers. It owns the 53 acre Cowassock Woods inside the Ashland Town Forest, and it helped the town add another 53 acres in 2025.
WACA TV	Ashland’s community media organization. It runs the town’s public, education and government channels and carries Ashland High School sports, and it teaches people to make what goes on them.

Town Services You Can Use Today

Service	Notes
Senior Services	Outreach, activities and programs for older residents, run from 162 West Union Street. Senior Services Director Candi Wilson. 508-881-0140.
Recreation Department	Youth and adult programs and the town’s parks and fields. Director Kelly Rund. 508-881-0140.
Prevention & Human Services	Outreach, case management and food resources for residents who need them. Director Araya Landry. 508-881-0140.

For current hours and a fuller list, see the town’s own staff directory.

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