Editing Hardwick, Massachusetts

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Hardwick, Massachusetts
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = WareRiverCoverBridge.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = The Ware-Gilbertville Covered Bridge in [[Gilbertville, Massachusetts|Gilbertville]]
|image_seal               = Seal of Hardwick, Massachusetts.png
|image_flag               = 
|image_map                = Worcester County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Hardwick highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 260px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County]] and the state of [[Massachusetts]].
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Massachusetts]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Massachusetts|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester]]
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1737
|established_title2       = Incorporated
|established_date2        = 1739
|established_title3       = 
|established_date3        = 
|government_type          = [[Open town meeting]]
|leader_title             = [[Board of selectmen]]
|leader_name              = {{ubl|Robert Roy|Deana L. Talbot|Eric Vollheim}}
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 105.8
|area_total_sq_mi         = 40.8
|area_land_km2            = 99.9
|area_land_sq_mi          = 38.6
|area_water_km2           = 5.8
|area_water_sq_mi         = 2.3
|population_as_of         = 2020
|settlement_type          = [[New England town|Town]]
|population_total         = 2667
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 
|elevation_m              = 268
|elevation_ft             = 880
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|21|00|N|72|12|00|W|region:US-MA|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = {{ubl|01037 (Hardwick)|01031 ([[Gilbertville, Massachusetts|Gilbertville]])|01082 ([[Ware, Massachusetts|Ware]])|01094 ([[Wheelwright, Massachusetts|Wheelwright]])}}
|area_code                = [[Area code 413|413]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 25-28740
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0619481
|website                  = {{URL|www.townofhardwick.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Hardwick''' is a town in [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County]], [[Massachusetts]], United States, about {{convert|20|mi}} northwest of the city of [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]]. It had a population of 2,667 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2502728740|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 12, 2021|title=Census - Geography Profile: Hardwick town, Worcester County, Massachusetts}}</ref> It includes the villages of Hardwick, [[Gilbertville, Massachusetts|Gilbertville]], [[Wheelwright, Massachusetts|Wheelwright]] and [[Old Furnace, Massachusetts|Old Furnace]].

== History ==
Hardwick was first settled in 1737 and was officially incorporated in 1739, named in honor of [[Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke|Philip Yorke, Lord Hardwicke]],<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n148 149]}}</ref> an English nobleman. In 1762, General Timothy Ruggles, one of the leading [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Tories]] of New England, introduced the Hardwick Fair, now the oldest annual fair in the United States. During the late 1800s, Hardwick experienced an expansion of its manufacturing industry, textile and paper mills, both of which left the area by the 1930s. The town has retained its agricultural roots, a long-standing tradition in the region. Hardwick is the home of [[Eagle Hill School]], founded in 1967.

==Geography and transportation==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|40.8|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|38.6|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.2|sqmi}}, or 5.51%, is water.  Hardwick was one of the towns which gained lands (though lost some land area) by the building of the [[Quabbin Reservoir]].  The reservoir's waters extend into the town along the former East Branch of the Swift River, which once ran through the northwest corner of town.  Due to the disincorporation of the towns which the Quabbin Reservoir and its reservation lands now lie on, Hardwick gained a small portion of the former town of [[Greenwich, Massachusetts|Greenwich]] along the northwestern corner of town, though it is the smallest portion of land gained by any of the towns surrounding the reservoir.  The town lies along the edge of the former Swift River Valley, with Muddy Brook and the former East Branch of the Swift River draining the western part of town, and the [[Ware River]] draining the eastern portion.  The lands along the Ware, especially in the far eastern part of town, are marshy.  The town has some open areas, and a portion of the lands not already protected as part of the Quabbin Reservation are part of the Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Area.

Hardwick lies along the western edge of Worcester County, bordered by [[Hampshire County, Massachusetts|Hampshire County]] to the southwest.  It is bordered by [[Petersham, Massachusetts|Petersham]] to the northwest, [[Barre, Massachusetts|Barre]] to the northeast, [[New Braintree, Massachusetts|New Braintree]] to the southeast and [[Ware, Massachusetts|Ware]] to the southwest.  From its town center, Hardwick lies {{convert|24|mi|km}} west-northwest of [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]], {{convert|31|mi|km}} northeast of [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]], and {{convert|64|mi|km}} west of [[Boston]].

Hardwick has no interstates or limited access highways within town, lying approximately halfway between [[Massachusetts Turnpike|Interstate 90]], also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike, to the south and [[Massachusetts Route 2|Route 2]] to the north. The southern neighborhood of Gilbertville is the location of the intersection of [[Massachusetts Route 32|Route 32]] and the southern terminus of [[Massachusetts Route 32A|Route 32A]], with Route 32 coming from Ware heading northeast towards Barre, and Route 32A heading due north through the town's center towards the center of Petersham, where its northern end lies.  The [[Massachusetts Central Railroad]] line passes through the town from [[Palmer, Massachusetts|Palmer]] towards Barre, roughly following the path of Route 32. It does not carry passenger rail, however, not having done so since the early twentieth century. The nearest private airport is the [[Tanner-Hiller Airport]] in New Braintree, and the nearest national air service can be reached at [[Bradley International Airport]] in Connecticut.

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations | type=USA | align=left | state=collapsed
 | 1850|1631
 | 1860|1521
 | 1870|2219
 | 1880|2233
 | 1890|2922
 | 1900|3203
 | 1910|3524
 | 1920|3085
 | 1930|2460
 | 1940|2154
 | 1950|2348
 | 1960|2340
 | 1970|2379
 | 1980|2272
 | 1990|2385
 | 2000|2622
 | 2010|2990
 | 2020|2667
 | 2022*|2658
 | footnote=* = population estimate.  {{Historical populations/Massachusetts municipalities references}}<ref>{{cite web | title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date=November 10, 2023 | url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,622 people, 997 households, and 689 families residing in the town.  The population density was {{convert|67.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 1,086 housing units at an average density of {{convert|28.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 97.79% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.53% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.15% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.11% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.19% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.22% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.88% of the population.

There were 997 households, out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,742, and the median income for a family was $54,667. Males had a median income of $37,763 versus $30,057 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $20,824.  About 5.5% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
{{Worcester County politicians |
| county = Worcester
| state_rep = Donnie Berthiaume (R)
| state_sen = Peter Durant (R)
| gov_councilors = Jen Caissie (R)
| fed_rep = [[Jim McGovern (congressman)|James P. McGovern]] (D-[[United States House of Representatives, Massachusetts District 2|2nd District]]),
| fed_sen = [[Edward Kennedy]] (D)<br>[[John Kerry]] (D)}}

==Education==

Hardwick is part of the Quabbin Regional School District, along with [[Barre, Massachusetts|Barre]], [[Hubbardston, Massachusetts|Hubbardston]], [[New Braintree, Massachusetts|New Braintree]], and [[Oakham, Massachusetts|Oakham]]. Elementary School Students attend Hardwick Elementary School from grades K–6, middle school students attend Quabbin Regional Middle School from grades 7–8, and high school students attend [[Quabbin Regional High School]] from grades 9–12. Hardwick is also part of the Pathfinder Regional Vocational-Technical High School District, comprising Belchertown, Granby, Hardwick, Oakham, Monson, New Braintree, Palmer, Ware, and Warren.

==Library==

The public library in Hardwick was established in 1892.<ref>Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gbUYAQAAIAAJ v.9] (1899)</ref><ref>[http://www.paigelibrary.org/ Paige Memorial Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620051637/http://www.paigelibrary.org/ |date=June 20, 2010 }} Retrieved November 10, 2010</ref> In fiscal year 2008, the town of Hardwick spent 1.58% ($64,023) of its budget on its public library—approximately $24 per person.<ref>July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: [http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php Municipal Pie Reports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123010127/http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php |date=January 23, 2012 }}. Retrieved August 4, 2010</ref> In fiscal year 2017, the town budget provided the library with 1.16 percent of the total budget, or $26.18 per year for each resident.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners |title=The FY2017 Municipal Pie What's Your Share? |url=https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/bitstream/handle/2452/802161/ocn725879606-2017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |website=State Library of Massachusetts |access-date=June 19, 2022 |oclc=ocn725879606 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023172120/https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/bitstream/handle/2452/802161/ocn725879606-2017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |location=Boston |page=2 |date=December 2018 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

A library in the Village of Gilbertville was constructed in 1911 to replace a library housed over one of the nearby Gilbert Company mills. The Gilbertville Library was dedicated on March 29, 1913, by Association President, Charles A. Ware, who acknowledged the library being given by E.H. Gilbert.

The building today retains most of its original design. The only significant change occurred when a barrier-free entrance was added. This new entryway, completed in 2002, was designed to complement the charm and beauty of the original plan. The library is funded through donations, fundraising by the Association and town funds.

==Notable people==
*[[Adeliza Perry]], Civil War nurse, writer, educator, born in Hardwick
*[[Jonathan Robinson (American politician)|Jonathan Robinson]], [[United States Senator]] from Vermont<ref>{{cite web|url= http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000346|title=ROBINSON, Jonathan, (1756 - 1819) |publisher= Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date= November 18, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Moses Robinson]], Governor of Vermont<ref>[http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_vermont/col2-content/main-content-list/title_robinson_moses.html "Vermont Governor Moses Robinson"], ''[[National Governors Association]]''</ref>
* [[Carrie Stevens]], model 
* [[Squire Whipple]], engineer
* [[Charles L. Robinson|Charles Robinson]], Governor of Kansas

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://townofhardwick.com Town of Hardwick]
* [http://www.wcvb.com/chronicle/Monday-October-22-Main-Streets-and-Back-Roads-Hardwick-Massachusetts/-/12523032/17029332/-/k7xvgoz/-/index.html "Main Streets and Back Roads: Hardwick, Massachusetts"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123142658/http://www.wcvb.com/chronicle/Monday-October-22-Main-Streets-and-Back-Roads-Hardwick-Massachusetts/-/12523032/17029332/-/k7xvgoz/-/index.html |date=January 23, 2013 }}, ''[[Chronicle (U.S. TV series)|Chronicle HD]]'', [[WCVB-TV]], Boston, Monday, October 22, 2012.

{{Worcester County, Massachusetts}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Hardwick, Massachusetts| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Towns in Worcester County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1737]]
[[Category:1737 establishments in the Province of Massachusetts Bay]]