Town Of Princeton

6 Town Hall Drive

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Incorporated in 1759, Princeton was named after the Reverend Thomas Prince, Pastor of the Old South Church in Boston, and one of the first proprietors of the Town.
"Hide and Seek Town", as Princeton was called by Helen Hunt Jackson, the novelist, in 1876, has an uncommonly interesting past for a small town, and both old-timers and new residents are justifiably proud of its heritage.

In 1675, long before the town was settled, Mary Rowlandson of Lancaster was ransomed upon our "Redemption Rock" from the Indian chief King Philip after eleven harrowing weeks in captivity.

During the Revolution, Princeton supported its own company of Minute Men, many of whom were forbears of residents today. After the war, the Town was one of the hotbeds of dissension that caused Shays Rebellion in 1786.

Although its population increased five-fold in the 18th century (in 1795 Worcester had only twice as many inhabitants), Princeton's greatest period was in the 1800s.

Many famous names are associated with 19th century Princeton. Edward Savage, the painter, renowned for his portraits of Washington and his family was born here and is buried here. J.G. Whittier visited friends here and immortalized Mount Wachusett in a poem. Earlier, in 1842, Thoreau and a friend walked from Concord to Mt. Wachusett, where he was stirred to write of the mountain, " who like me/standest alone without society."

Shortly after the separation of church and state in Massachusetts, our present Congregational Church and third meeting House was erected (1838). After the construction of the Library (1883) and the Town Hall, the Church was moved from the head of the Common to its present site. A beautiful old crystal chandelier lights the interior, and a Paul Revere bell rings out from the steeple, which beckons from miles away. Communion cups, also made by the patriot silversmith of Boston, were presented to the Church in 1796 by Moses Gill, who married Reverend Prince's daughter and was later Acting Governor of Massachusetts. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, eight trains a day came and went, bringing hundreds of summer visitors and residents to our many hotels and boarding houses. During the "season" many of the famous signed hotel registers - Louisa May Alcott, Sarah Bernhardt, Lydia Pinkham, the Harpers of Harper's Magazine, and Thomas Edison.

With the arrival of the automobile, vacation habits changed. After 1900, small industries such as hat-making, lumbering, and chair-making gradually disappeared. Agriculture, once prominent in the economy - Boston's Parker House once featured "Blueberries from Princeton" on its menu - declined. The hotels closed and many burned, and Princeton became again a quiet country village.

Economic and demographic growth after World War II have brought changes to the Town. Princeton today is in the most part residential. Population has been rising, from 1028 in 1950 to 1355 in 1960, and 1681 in 1970. The current population is over 3300.

Town Of Princeton : Vehicle Efficiency And Maintenance And Information On Electric Vehicles With EAC's Phil Gott Replay Available

On February 23 2023, the Princeton EAC's Climate Resiliency Outreach Campaign hosted EAC Member Phil Gott who presented information on vehicle efficiency and maintenance and information on electric vehicles. That presentation was recorded and can be…

NextZero Rebates And Peak Shaving With PMLD's Sean McKeon Replay Available

On January 19, 2023, the Princeton EAC's Climate Resiliency Outreach Campaign hosted PMLD General Manager Sean McKeon who presented information on NextZero rebates and peak shaving. That presentation was recorded and can be watched…

Town Of Princeton Green News : Brief March 2023

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Town Of Princeton - CORRECTION: First Budget Presentation of FY24 was Held

The Financial Management Team and Selectboard hosted a budget presentation for Highway, Fire/EMS, and Police on March 6th. Residents heard about preliminary budgets asking for an additional $669,918 in funds for these departments. This amounts to…

Town Of Princeton News : Annual Town Report Photo Contest - Deadline March 17, 2023

The Town of Princeton welcomes photographers of all ages and abilities to submit photos of what makes Princeton beautiful in their eyes to be considered for the cover of the 2022 Town of Princeton Annual Town Report. Contest Rules: -Take a photo…

Town Of Princeton : First Budget Presentation Of FY24 Was Held

The Financial Management Team and Selectboard hosted a budget presentation for Highway, Fire/EMS, and Police on March 6th. Residents heard about preliminary budgets asking for an additional $329,590 in funds for these departments. This amounts to…

Princeton Residents: Citizen's Caucus will be held in the Town Hall Annex on March 8, 2023 at 7pm

Bring your neighbors and friends! The Citizens’ Caucus to nominate candidates for the May 8 Annual Town Election will be held on Wednesday, March 8 at 7p.m. at the Town Hall Annex. All registered voters in Princeton are invited to attend. A…

Town Of Princeton - Town Buzz With The Barn March 8 At 1pm

On Wednesday, 3/8, at 1pm, we will be talking with the proprietors of the newly opened Barn restaurant. Gabby & Ryan Bennett and Carla Zottoli will join us to discuss what they are doing and answer your questions. We will be meeting in person at…

Town Of Princeton Captain Christopher J. Sullivan Scholarship Applications Nowavailable - Deadline May 24, 2023

Applications for the 2023 Captain Christopher J. Sullivan Liberty Scholarship are now available. The scholarship is in honor of Christopher J. Sullivan who grew up in Princeton. He was killed in Iraq in January of 2005. This scholarship is aimed to…

Town Of Princeton : License Your Dog By April 27, 2023

Town of Princeton Residents have until April 27, 2023 to register their dogs. State Law requires that all dogs in the Commonwealth over six (6) months of age be licensed annually. The deadline to license dogs in the Town of Princeton is the last…

Town Of Princeton - Budget Presentation Schedule 2023

The Selectboard and Financial Management Team will be holding a series of budget presentations between now and the Advisory Committee Hearing on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The first meeting will be held virtually on 3/6 at 6:30 pm. We will…

Town Of Princeton Green News : Brief February 2023

Energy efficiency is on everyone’s mind these days. If you want to know how to wring every drop of oomph out of your gas tank, or every inch of range out of your EV, Phil Gott has some great advice for you in this month’s Green News…

Town Of Princeton - Recording of Town Buzz with Chief Paul Patriarca Available

Thanks to our new Police Chief, Paul Patriarca, for attending Town Buzz Thursday. Chief Patriarca discussed the MRI report and his initial thoughts on department priorities. Residents were very welcoming and had many questions. For those who were…

Town Of Princeton: Citizens' Caucus - Wednesday, March 8, 2023

The Citizens’ Caucus to nominate candidates for the May 8 Annual Town Election will be held on Wednesday, March 8 at 7p.m. at the Town Hall Annex. All registered voters in Princeton are invited to attend. A quorum of 25 registered voters is…

Town Of Princeton - Selectboard Letter To Residents: Upcoming Town Elections

Town elections will take place on Monday, May 8. This year there will be eight positions to be filled. Residents who are interested in running for one of them have two ways to get on the ballot and two ways to be elected. The easiest way for a…

Town Of Princeton - Next Zero Rebates And Peak Shaving With PMLD's Sean Mckeon Replay Available

Please Join The Princeton Memorial Day Planning Committee On February 13 , 2023 To Help Prepare For The Town's Observance Of Memorial Day

Please join the Princeton Memorial Day Planning Committee to help us continue to prepare for the Town's observance of Memorial Day on May 28th, 2023 at 1PM on the town common, which will include the traditional parade to Woodlawn Cemetery and return…

Town Of Princeton News - January 23, 2023

Learn about Property Taxes at Town Buzz on 01/25/23 at 1pm at the Sr. Center on 206 Worcester Road Come join the Selectboard to learn about property taxes and how to manage while on a fixed…

Town Of Princeton - Wachusett Garden Club 2023 Activities

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Learn More About Land Conservation With The Princeton Open Space Committee And The Princeton Land Trust - February 5th, 2023

Please join the Princeton Open Space Committee and the Princeton Land Trust to learn more about land conservation options that are available to preserve open space and reduce taxes for private landowners. The session will be held on Sunday February…

Town Of Princeton : Green News Brief January 2023

Click Here to view the Town Of Princeton : Green News Brief January 2023

Princeton Selectboard Announces Appointment Of Police Chief Paul Patriarca

The Princeton Selectboard is pleased to announce that they voted unanimously to offer the Police Chief position to Paul Patriarca at their meeting on December 1st. Chief Patriarca’s anticipated start date is January 1st. His resume can be…

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