Editing Princeton, Massachusetts

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Princeton, Massachusetts
|nickname =
|motto =
|image_skyline = Town Common, Princeton MA.jpg
|imagesize = 250px
|image_caption = Town Common in Princeton, MA
|image_seal = Seal of Princeton, Massachusetts.png
|image_flag = Princeton, ma flag.jpg
|image_map                = Worcester County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Princeton 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 = 1743
|established_title2 = Incorporated
|established_date2 = 1771
|established_title3 =
|established_date3 =
|government_type = [[Open town meeting]]
|leader_title = [[Town Administrator|Town<br />{{nbsp|3}}Administrator]]
|leader_name = Sherry Patch
|leader_title1 = Board of<br />{{nbsp|3}}Selectmen
|leader_name1 = Karen Cruise, Chair<br /> Richard Bisk, Vice Chair <br /> Robert Cumming, Member
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 92.8
|area_total_sq_mi = 35.8
|area_land_km2 = 91.8
|area_land_sq_mi = 35.4
|area_water_km2 = 1.0
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.4
|population_as_of = 2020
|settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
|population_total = 3495
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 
|elevation_m = 358
|elevation_ft = 1175
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset = −5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST = −4
|coordinates      = {{coord|42|26|55|N|71|52|40|W|region:US-MA|display=inline,title}}
|website = [http://town.princeton.ma.us/ town.princeton.ma.us]
|postal_code_type = ZIP Code
|postal_code = 01541
|area_code = [[Area code 351|351]]/[[Area code 978|978]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 25-55395
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0618380
|footnotes =
}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Princeton ma map.png|left|200px]] -->

'''Princeton''' is a town in [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County]], [[Massachusetts]], United States. It is bordered on the east by [[Sterling, Massachusetts|Sterling]] and [[Leominster, Massachusetts|Leominster]], on the north by [[Westminster, Massachusetts|Westminster]], on the northwest by [[Hubbardston, Massachusetts|Hubbardston]], on the southwest by [[Rutland, Massachusetts|Rutland]], and on the southeast by [[Holden, Massachusetts|Holden]]. The preeminent landmark within Princeton is [[Mount Wachusett]], which straddles the line between Princeton and Westminster but the entrance to which is within Princeton. According to tradition, in 1675, [[Mary Rowlandson]] was ransomed upon [[Redemption Rock]], now within the town of Princeton, by [[Metacomet|King Philip]]. The population was 3,495 at the 2020 census.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2502755395|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 12, 2021|title=Census - Geography Profile: Princeton town, Worcester County, Massachusetts}}</ref> Princeton is a rural [[exurb]], serving as a [[Commuter town|bedroom commuter town]] for nearby cities such as [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]], [[Gardner, Massachusetts|Gardner]], and [[Boston]].

==History==
During [[King Philip's War]] in 1676, Native Americans brought their captive [[Mary Rowlandson]] to Princeton to release her to the colonists at [[Redemption Rock]]. The town of Princeton was incorporated in 1759, out of land that was previously part of [[Rutland, Massachusetts|Rutland]]. It was named after the Rev. [[Thomas Prince (historian)|Thomas Prince]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=3098|title=Profile for Princeton, Massachusetts|publisher=[[ePodunk]]|access-date=May 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515043808/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=3098|archive-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1810, it annexed a piece of [[Hubbardston, Massachusetts|Hubbardston]], and in 1870, it annexed a piece of [[Westminster, Massachusetts|Westminster]].

===Register of Historic Places===
Princeton has five entries on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:
* [[East Princeton Village Historic District]]: Roughly [[Route 140 (Massachusetts)|Main St.]], Leominster Rd. (added April 18, 2004)
* [[Fernside-Vacation House for Working Girls]]: 162 Mountain Rd. (added July 27, 2002)
* [[Princeton Center Historic District]]: Jct. of Hubbardston and Mountain Rds. (added March 26, 1999)
* [[Russell Corner Historic District]]: Merriam, Gregory Hill, East Princeton and Sterling Rds, Bullock Lane, (added February 22, 2006)
* [[West Village Historic District (Princeton, Massachusetts)|West Village Historic District]]: Jct. of Allen Hill and Hubbardston Roads

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:East Princeton, Massachusetts.jpg|East Princeton Village Historic District along [[Route 140 (Massachusetts)|Route 140]]
File:West Village Historic District.jpg|West Village Historic District
File:1899 Princeton public library Massachusetts.png|Princeton Public Library at right and Bagg Hall (town hall) at left, 1899
File:Bagg Hall in winter, Princeton MA.jpg|Bagg Hall, the town hall of Princeton
</gallery>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|35.8|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|35.4|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.4|sqmi|km2}} of it (1.12%) is water.

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations | type=USA | align=right | state=collapsed
 | 1850|1318
 | 1860|1201
 | 1870|1279
 | 1880|1100
 | 1890|982
 | 1900|975
 | 1910|818
 | 1920|682
 | 1930|717
 | 1940|713
 | 1950|1032
 | 1960|1360
 | 1970|1681
 | 1980|2425
 | 1990|3189
 | 2000|3353
 | 2010|3413
 | 2020|3495
 | 2024*|3597
 | footnote=* = population estimate.  {{Historical populations/Massachusetts municipalities references}}<ref>{{cite web | title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date=May 18, 2025 |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 3,353 people, 1,166 households, and 959 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|94.6|PD/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 1,196 housing units at an average density of {{convert|33.7|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.75% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.30% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.33% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.95% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.63% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.04% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.46% of the population.

There were 1,166 households, out of which 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. Of all households, 13.5% were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $120,559, and the median income for a family was $152,884. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $54,940. About 2.7% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
{{Worcester County politicians |
| county = Worcester
| state_rep = Kimberly Ferguson (R)
| state_sen = Harriette L. Chandler (D-[[Massachusetts Senate's 1st Worcester district|1st Worcester district]])
| 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 = [[Scott Brown]] (R)<br />[[John Kerry]] (D)
}}

==Education==
===Schools===
Princeton is part of the [[Wachusett Regional School District]].

The [[Thomas Prince School]] serves as the town's kindergarten, elementary and middle school (K–8).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://thomasprince.wrsd.net/home|access-date=May 28, 2021|website=thomasprince.wrsd.net|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Wachusett Regional High School]] (traditional public high school) in [[Holden, MA]] and [[Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School]] (vocational/technical high school) in [[Fitchburg, MA]] are the two public high schools serving the town of Princeton.

Princeton is served by [[Mount Wachusett Community College]], whose main campus is located in [[Gardner, Massachusetts]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner, MA {{!}} Apply Today!|url=https://mwcc.edu/|access-date=May 28, 2021|website=Mount Wachusett Community College|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Library===

The Princeton Public Library was established in 1884.<ref>C.B. Tillinghast. The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1891. [https://books.google.com/books?id=LusKAAAAYAAJ Google books]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.princetonpubliclibrary.org/ |title=Princeton Library |website=www.princetonpubliclibrary.org |access-date=November 10, 2010}}</ref> In fiscal year 2008, the town of Princeton spent 1.6% ($129,243) of its budget on its public library; approximately $37 per resident, per year ($45.31 adjusted for inflation to 2021).<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>

==Points of interest==
[[File:Public Library, Princeton MA.jpg|thumbnail|right|Princeton Public Library]]
*Cornerstone Ranchers 
*Harrington Farm
*[[Mount Wachusett]]
*Princeton Historical Society
*[[Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary]]
*[[Wachusett Mountain (ski area)|Wachusett Mountain Ski Area]]
*[[Wachusett Mountain State Reservation]]
*[[Redemption Rock]]
*Hubbard farm

==Notable people==

* [[Colin Bennie]], distance runner
* [[Ward Nicholas Boylston]] (1747–1828), gentleman, businessman, and philanthropist, lived in Princeton from September 1804 until his death. He bequeathed $1000 to the town of Princeton for its church and minister and the support of indigent and deserving widows and orphan children<ref>[http://www.princetonmahistory.org/people-groups/early-history/ward-nicholas-boylston "Ward Nicholas Boylston"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111140256/http://www.princetonmahistory.org/people-groups/early-history/ward-nicholas-boylston |date=November 11, 2010 }}, Princeton (Massachusetts) Historical Society</ref>
* [[Daniel Davis Jr.]] (1813–1887) - inventor
* [[Moses Gill]] (1734–1800), Massachusetts lieutenant governor and acting governor
* [[Louise H. Gregory]] (1880–1954), professor of zoology at [[Barnard College]]
* [[Ruth Ellen Grout]] (1901–1998), health education professor at the [[University of Minnesota]]
* [[Ezra Heywood]] (1829–1893), anarchist, slavery abolitionist, and feminist
* [[Vanessa Marcotte]] (1989–2016), murder victim, whose case attracted national media attention<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shocking Killing of Vanessa Marcotte in Princeton Sent Shockwaves Through Small Town 4 Years Ago|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/crime/2020/08/07/killing-of-vanessa-marcotte-in-princeton-sent-shockwaves-through-small-town-4-years-ago/113746828/}}</ref>
* [[Aurelius Dwight Parker]] (1802–1875), lawyer and politician
* [[Edward Savage (artist)|Edward Savage]] (1761–1817), portrait artist, engraver, and early museum proprietor

==Film references==
* The 2001 film ''[[Shallow Hal]]'' had scenes shot in Princeton at [[Mount Wachusett|Wachusett Mountain]].
* The 2006 film ''[[The Legend of Lucy Keyes]]'' is a movie about Princeton and its old legend, about four-year-old Lucy Keyes, who follows her sisters to fetch some water from Wachusett Lake but vanishes and never returns to the house. Her mother, Martha, spends night and day looking for her and calling her name. Some believe Lucy and her mother Martha still haunt on and around Wachusett Mountain.

==References==
{{Reflist|24em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://town.princeton.ma.us/  Official '''Princeton''' (town) website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040402114309/http://www.town.princeton.ma.us/history.html A brief history of Princeton]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=9MRDD4KzpJMC&pg=PP1 Books.google.com: ''Vital Records of Princeton, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849''.]
* [http://www.heartsforheat.org Hearts for Heat NGO Website]

{{Worcester County, Massachusetts}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Princeton, Massachusetts| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Worcester County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1759 establishments in the Province of Massachusetts Bay]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1759]]
[[Category:Towns in Massachusetts]]