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Amherst, Massachusetts

A quintessential New England college town, Amherst is home to three institutions — UMass Amherst, Amherst College, and Hampshire College — and was where Emily Dickinson wrote nearly all of her 1,800 poems. The H is silent: "AM-erst."
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Founded 1759 | Population 40,000 | Peak 40,000 (2024) | County Hampshire County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Amherst, Massachusetts

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1759 Founded: Amherst was founded by colonial settlers in Hampshire County.
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1863 UMass: UMass Amherst.
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1890 Higher Education: Educational institutions helped define Amherst's character and economy.
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2010 Modern Era: Amherst continued to develop as part of the greater metropolitan area, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
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Latest News in Amherst

Feb 13, 2016
Mom and Dad who Neglected Starved Baby Learn Their Fates
BOSTON — In a case that shocked many, a Massachusetts couple faced the consequences of their actions on February 13, 2016, after…
Jan 26, 2016
Mom 3 Takes Closer Look Licence Realizes Something Very Wrong Photo
BOSTON — On a chilly January day in 2016, a Massachusetts mother of three found herself staring at her daughter’s driver&#…
Nov 20, 2015
Remember Woman who Sued 8 Year Old Nephew 127000 Over Hug Verdict
BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2015 — In a case that left people scratching their heads, a Massachusetts woman took her 8-year-old nephew to c…
Oct 28, 2015
Couple Gets Over 2300 Years Prison Child Pornography
BOSTON (October 28, 2015) — In a case that left many stunned by its severity, a Massachusetts couple was sentenced to a combined…
Sep 22, 2015
Trump Rises 20000 Massachusetts Democrats Leave Party
BOSTON, Massachusetts — In the heat of the 2016 presidential race, Donald Trump’s rapid climb in the polls sparked an unex…
Mar 19, 2015
Woman Whose Car Flipped Over Thinks Man Coming Help Then Sees what Hes
BOSTON — On a rainy March evening in 2015, Sarah Thompson’s drive home took a terrifying turn when her car skidded off the…

Complete Historical Timeline

1759 Culture
Founded
1863 Culture
UMass
1890 Culture
Higher Education
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
Three colleges.
2
Emily Dickinson museum.
3
Silent H — AM-erst.
4
Amherst is located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
5
Amherst was founded in 1759.

Famous People from Amherst, Massachusetts

ED
Emily Dickinson
Writer, Poet · Born Dec 10, 1830 · Died May 15, 1886 (age 55)
EM
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Mar 19, 1977 · Age 48
HJ
Helen Hunt Jackson
Writer, Poet · Born Oct 15, 1830 · Died Aug 12, 1885 (age 54)
JM
Julie McNiven
Actor, Television Actor · Born Oct 11, 1980 · Age 45
MN
Margaret Morse Nice
Naturalist, Ornithologist · Born Dec 6, 1883 · Died Jun 26, 1974 (age 90)

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