Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Town
Center Meetinghouse in Old Sturbridge Village
Seal
Motto:  "First New England Mining" [1]
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
Coordinates: 42°06′30″N72°04′45″W / 42.10833°N 72.07917°W / 42.10833; -72.07917
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Worcester
Settled	1729
Incorporated	June 24, 1738
Government
• Type	Open town meeting
•  Town Administrator	Jeff Bridges
Area
• Total	39.0 sq mi (100.9 km2)
• Land	37.4 sq mi (96.9 km2)
• Water	1.5 sq mi (4.0 km2)
Elevation	619 ft (189 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,867
• Density	250/sq mi (98/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code	01566
Area code	508 / 774
FIPS code	25-68155
GNIS feature ID	0618384
Website	www.sturbridge.gov

Sturbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is home to Old Sturbridge Village living history museum and other sites of historical interest such as Tantiusques.

The population was 9,867 at the 2020 census, with more than 3,600 households. ^[2] For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Sturbridge, see: Fiskdale and Sturbridge (CDP).

History

Sturbridge was first visited by the English Puritans in 1644 when John Winthrop the Younger visited the area now known as Tantiusques. Winthrop II bought the land from Tantasqua (local area sachem) and mined graphite, lead, and iron. The mine stayed in the Winthrop family as late as 1784 and was in operation until 1910. Sturbridge was first settled by the English in 1729 by settlers from Medfield, and was officially incorporated in 1738. ^[3] New Medfield and Dummer (after Governor William Dummer) were considered as town names before the town was named after Stourbridge, England. ^[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.0 square miles (101 km²), of which 37.4 square miles (97 km²) is land and 1.5 square miles (4 km²), or 3.95%, is water. Sturbridge is bordered by Charlton and Southbridge to the east, Union, Connecticut and Woodstock, Connecticut, to the south, Brimfield and Holland to the west, and Brookfield and East Brookfield to the north. Sturbridge lies approximately 29 miles (47 km) east of Springfield, 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Worcester, and 55 miles (89 km) west of Boston.

U.S. Route 20 runs through Sturbridge, and the junction of Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) and the eastern terminus of Interstate 84 is located there. The Wilbur Cross Highway (Connecticut Route 15) formerly ended in Sturbridge; locals sometimes call Haynes Street and portions of Mashapaug Road "Old Route 15". Haynes Street ends at Main Street (Massachusetts Route 131), which connects Sturbridge Center with Southbridge; on the west side of town, Massachusetts Route 148 connects Fiskdale with Brookfield. On August 18, 1955, gale-force winds and torrential downpour from Hurricane Diane created floodwaters that broke dams in surrounding towns and flooded the village.

Neighborhoods

The northwestern portion of the town, Fiskdale, is a census-designated place with its own post office and ZIP-code assignment.

Climate

Climate data for Sturbridge (East Brimfield Lake, Fiskdale), Massachusetts (1991–2020 normals, extremes Jun 1962-present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	68 (20)	73 (23)	83 (28)	93 (34)	93 (34)	97 (36)	101 (38)	99 (37)	95 (35)	86 (30)	78 (26)	72 (22)	101 (38)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	57 (14)	56 (13)	65 (18)	79 (26)	86 (30)	89 (32)	91 (33)	89 (32)	86 (30)	77 (25)	69 (21)	59 (15)	93 (34)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	34.2 (1.2)	36.6 (2.6)	44.3 (6.8)	56.9 (13.8)	67.5 (19.7)	75.4 (24.1)	80.5 (26.9)	79.1 (26.2)	72.3 (22.4)	60.8 (16.0)	50.1 (10.1)	39.3 (4.1)	58.1 (14.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)	25.1 (−3.8)	26.7 (−2.9)	34.5 (1.4)	46.2 (7.9)	56.9 (13.8)	65.6 (18.7)	71.0 (21.7)	69.4 (20.8)	62.2 (16.8)	50.4 (10.2)	40.7 (4.8)	31.1 (−0.5)	48.3 (9.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	16.1 (−8.8)	16.9 (−8.4)	24.7 (−4.1)	35.5 (1.9)	46.2 (7.9)	55.9 (13.3)	61.5 (16.4)	59.7 (15.4)	52.2 (11.2)	39.9 (4.4)	31.3 (−0.4)	22.9 (−5.1)	38.6 (3.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−4 (−20)	−2 (−19)	6 (−14)	24 (−4)	32 (0)	41 (5)	51 (11)	48 (9)	37 (3)	26 (−3)	16 (−9)	5 (−15)	−7 (−22)
Record low °F (°C)	−27 (−33)	−24 (−31)	−16 (−27)	5 (−15)	15 (−9)	26 (−3)	42 (6)	33 (1)	26 (−3)	15 (−9)	−1 (−18)	−14 (−26)	−27 (−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.67 (93)	3.19 (81)	4.26 (108)	4.32 (110)	3.48 (88)	3.86 (98)	4.04 (103)	4.41 (112)	4.07 (103)	4.85 (123)	3.91 (99)	4.56 (116)	48.62 (1,235)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	13.4 (34)	16.8 (43)	13.6 (35)	3.8 (9.7)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.1 (0.25)	2.0 (5.1)	13.8 (35)	63.5 (161)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)	10 (25)	11 (28)	10 (25)	2 (5.1)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	2 (5.1)	8 (20)	16 (41)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	13	11	12	12	14	12	11	12	10	11	11	13	136
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	7	6	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	22
Source: NOAA [5]

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1850	2,119	—
1860	2,291	+8.1%
1870	2,101	−8.3%
1880	2,062	−1.9%
1890	2,074	+0.6%
1900	2,058	−0.8%
1910	1,957	−4.9%
1920	1,573	−19.6%
1930	1,772	+12.7%
1940	2,227	+25.7%
1950	2,805	+26.0%
1960	3,604	+28.5%
1970	4,878	+35.3%
1980	5,976	+22.5%
1990	7,775	+30.1%
2000	7,837	+0.8%
2010	9,268	+18.3%
2020	9,867	+6.5%
2022	9,882	+0.2%
Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

By the 2010 census, the population had reached 9,268.

As of the census ^[17] of 2000, there had been 7,837 people, 3,066 households, and 2,213 families residing in the town. The population density was 209.5 inhabitants per square mile (80.9/km²). There were 3,335 housing units at an average density of 89.1 per square mile (34.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.14% White, 3.6% Black or African American, 2.7% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.

There were 3,066 households, out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $56,519, and the median income for a family was $64,455. Males had a median income of $50,168 versus $31,940 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,559. About 4.5% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

County-level state agency heads
Clerk of Courts:	Dennis P. McManus (D)
District Attorney:	Joe Early Jr. (D)
Register of Deeds:	Katie Toomey (D)
Register of Probate:	Stephanie Fattman (R)
County Sheriff:	Lew Evangelidis (R)
State government
State Representative(s):	Todd M. Smola(R)
State Senator(s):	Anne Gobi (D)
Governor's Councilor(s):	Jen Caissie (R)
Federal government
U.S. Representative(s):	1st District
U.S. Senators:	Elizabeth Warren (D), Ed Markey (D)

Sturbridge public library, 1899

Arts and culture

Places of interest

Old Sturbridge Village, located on U.S. Route 20, is a living museum that re-creates life in rural New England from 1790s to the 1830s.

Tantiusques is an open-space reservation and historic site.

Wells State Park is a 1,400-acre (570 ha) woodland park and campground located on Route 49. The park includes 10 miles (16 km) of trails and Walker Pond, which offers a setting for fishing, canoeing, and swimming. ^[18]

Sturbridge is the home of the Sturbridge Worship Center church which impacts wider New England.

Education

Burgess Elementary School, serving grades K–6, is one of three public schools in Sturbridge. It has its own school committee, part of School Union 61. Sturbridge students also attend Tantasqua Regional Junior High School (grades 7–8) and Tantasqua Regional High School, in the Fiskdale section of town. Union 61 and the Tantasqua district share administrators, including the superintendent, and both include Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, Sturbridge and Wales.

Library

The Sturbridge Public Library was established in 1873. ^{[19] [20]} In fiscal year 2008, the town of Sturbridge spent 1.51% ($332,136) of its budget on its public library, approximately $36 per person, per year ($47.44 adjusted for inflation to 2022). ^[21]

Notable person

• Katharine Johnson Jackson (1841-1921), physician

See also

• Leadmine Wildlife Management Area

References

1. "Town of Sturbridge, Massachusetts". Town of Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
2. "Census - Geography Profile: Sturbridge town, Worcester County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 11, 2021.
3. "Sturbridge, Massachusetts". City-data.com. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
4. "Profile for Sturbridge, Massachusetts, MA". ePodunk. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
5. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved April 10, 2023.
6. "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
7. "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
8. "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
9. "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
10. "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
11. "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
12. "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
13. "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
14. "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
15. "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
16. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 4, 2023.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. "Wells State Park". Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved February 16, 2008.
19. C.B. Tillinghast. The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1891. Google books
20. Joshua Hyde Public Library. Retrieved on 2010-11-10.
21. 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: Municipal Pie Reports Archived 2012-01-23 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved on 2010-08-04.

External links

• Sturbridge travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Sturbridge official website