Self-sufficient farming by courageous pioneers marked the beginning of Petersham in the mid-1700’s. The formation of the town was the result of a petition of 67 soldiers who, under the leadership of Capt. John Lovell of Dunstable and Capt. John White of Lancaster, fought in military expeditions against the French and Indians. The General Court granted their petition in 1733 and the new township was named Volunteers Town. Later, the name of a local Indian settlement, Nichewaug, was used until the town’s incorporation in 1754 as Petersham.

The Chamber gratefully acknowledges Royalston-resident and author Allen Young, who has allowed the Chamber to use copyrighted material throughout this website from his remarkable regional guidebook North of Quabbin, published in 1983. Pick up his 2003 update, North of Quabbin Revisited, which includes new maps and photos, for a fascinating, in-depth guide to this nine-town region.