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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

Jan 1, 1970
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 1, 1970
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…
Jan 1, 1970
Mom Warns Other Parents After Cvs Medication Debacle Almost Ended Tragedy
BOSTON, Jan. 16, 2015 — A routine pharmacy visit nearly turned tragic for a Massachusetts mom, who says a mix-up at her local CV…

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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C
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L
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B
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New Bedford
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