Petersham, Massachusetts
Community Organizations
In a town of 1,194 the community organizations are not a garnish on civic life, they are load-bearing: caring for thousands of acres of open land, keeping the library and the historical society running, and connecting Petersham to the wider Quabbin region. Every one of them takes volunteers.
Land & Conservation
| Organization | What they do |
|---|---|
| Harvard Forest | Harvard University’s 4,000-acre research forest in Petersham, established in 1907. Its trails are open to the public year round, and it runs public programs and a museum. |
| Brooks Woodland Preserve | A Trustees of Reservations preserve along the East Branch of the Swift River, with woodland trails open to the public. |
| Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust | A regional land trust based in Athol that conserves farmland and forest across north central Massachusetts, Petersham included. |
| East Quabbin Land Trust | A land trust conserving land in the East Quabbin region, including Petersham. |
Community & Culture
| Organization | Notes |
|---|---|
| Petersham Historical Society | The town’s historical society, based on the common, which collects and shares Petersham’s history. |
| Petersham Memorial Library | The town’s public library, on the common. Books, programs, and a card that works across Massachusetts. 978-724-3405. |
| Council on Aging | Activities, outreach, and services for older residents, run by Co-Chairs Lynn Shaw and Sheila Youd. 978-724-3353. |
For current hours and a fuller list of town organizations, see the town’s pages at townofpetersham.gov.