The First Hampshire District (2021-2031)

On November 4, 2021, the Governor signed Chapter 83 of the Acts of 2021 into law. This law changes the boundaries of the House districts for 2021-2031. The First Hampshire district now includes nine communities in Hampshire County: the City of Northampton and the towns of Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Hatfield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington. These are beautiful, vibrant communities and the following is a brief introduction to each.

Chesterfield

Chesterfield is a nature lover’s paradise with the beautiful Chesterfield Gorge, a steep rock canyon carved from the waters of the East Branch of the Westfield River, and the Bend, a lovely local swimming spot. It remains a largely agricultural community for its 1,200 residents and is home to the Hilltown Community Development Corporation, which supports rural development, housing, and culture in the region. A trip to Chesterfield isn’t complete without a stop at the Chesterfield General Store.

Cummington

Cummington is a vibrant residential and farming community with a population of almost 830. It is known for having produced two Poet Laureates (William Jay Smith and Richard Wilbur) as well as noted poet and newspaper editor William Cullen Bryant, the namesake of Bryant Park and a major force behind the creation of Central Park in New York City. Visitors from across the state travel to Cummington to attend the Cummington Fair each August, to visit the William Cullen Bryant homestead, and to stop in at the Old Creamery Coop.

William Cullen Bryant Homestead [Photo Credit: The Trustees]

DAR State Park — DAR State Forest [Photo Credit: VisitMA]

Goshen

Fun fact about Goshen: it is one of just two towns in the United States within 29 or less miles of four different states: New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. (The other is Baker, Missouri.) Locals know it better as home to many beautiful lakes, including the one at the DAR State Forest, a publicly-owned state forest that offers hiking, swimming, fishing, snowshoeing, and so much more. Goshen also boasts the Three Sisters Sanctuary, an evolving, outdoor art exhibit and park.

Hatfield

Located on the banks of the Connecticut River, the town of Hatfield prides itself on being a small, close-knit, agricultural community and the smallest independent school district in the state. Known for its asparagus, potatoes, field hockey team, and Polish Club, Hatfield counts Sophia Smith, the founder of Smith College in Northampton, as one of its most famous residents, and hosts many beloved community events each year, including the Luminaria each December.

Luminaria at the Old Mill Inn [Photo Credit: Pinterest]

Northampton

Known as an academic, artistic, musical, and countercultural hub, Northampton, which includes the villages of Florence and Leeds, is the county seat of Hampshire County and is nicknamed the Paradise City (“Where the women are strong and so is the coffee”). Famous past residents include Sojourner Truth, David Ruggles, Alexander Graham Bell, and Calvin Coolidge. It is home to Smith College and a vibrant downtown, but balances its college-town vibe with a strong local community that comes together around many beloved annual events like the Pride Parade, the Hot Chocolate Run, the Paradise City Arts Festival, Django in June, the Jazz Festival, and much more.

Plainfield

Plainfield is a rural community on the northwestern edge of Hampshire county with a population of just over 600. Originally part of Cummington, Plainfield was recognized as its own distinct town in 1807, making it the youngest town in Hampshire County. No trip to Plainfield is complete without stopping in at the Shaw Hudson House, a historical museum built in 1833 which shows visitors a look at medicine in the 19th century. Plainfield’s notable past residents include abolitionist John Brown, novelist Ralph Ellison, and James Naismith, who invested basketball. Today, a growing population of farmers, artists, authors, professors, and professionals call Plainfield home

Westhampton

Fun fact about Westhampton: it holds the record for “America’s Largest Gathering of Fancifully Transformed Plastic Pink Flamingos.” In 2008, more than 400 of these lawn ornaments were decorated and displayed to raise funds to build a new library, which has now become a beautiful gathering place in town. However, more than flamingos, Westhampton, a rural, agricultural community, is best known for its Pumpkin Roll at its annual Fall Fair, which involves hundreds of participants and approximately 300 pumpkins rolling down the main thoroughfare. Notable Westhampton residents include musician Adam Dutkiewicz, children’s book illustrator Mordicai Gerstein, and author Sylvester Judd.

Williamsburg

When you ask a local about Williamsburg (aka Burgy), which includes the village of Haydenville, you are likely to hear a thing or two about the flood of 1874 when a poorly built reservoir burst, destroying mills, business, and homes and leaving a lasting effect on the town. Despite lingering reminders of the flood, the town has been rebuilt, and its vibrant main street, with fixtures like the Williamsburg General Store, features remarkable Classical revival architecture: a prime example is the glorious Meekins Library. The town has miles of hiking trails, fun venues like Local Burgy, Valley View Farm, Snow Farm, and an enviable list of local artists, authors, and musicians who call it home.

Meekins Library [Photo Credit: Meekins Library Website]

Worthington

Worthington is an agricultural community that is often synonymous with sugar: maple sugar! With three sugar houses, including Windy Hill Sugar House, one of the oldest in Hampshire County, agriculture plays a prominent role in the community. It is also home to the Hilltown Community Health Center, which provides high quality integrated health care and never turns away anyone due to an inability to pay for services. Fun fact about Worthington: it is mentioned in an Aaron Lewis song called “Massachusetts,” which mentioned that Worthington is, in fact, older than the United States.