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New Salem

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2005 Population........................1,000
2005 Registered voters..................714
1999 Per capita income..............$23,234
2006 Average tax bill................$2,208
1999 Median family income...........$48,688
2004 Budget......................$1,676,644

 

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Town Hall...(978)544-6437,(978)544-6428 fax
Town Clerk....................Stacy Senflug
Treasurer..................Gabriele Voelker
Police Chief..................Joseph Camden
Fire Chief.....................Thomas Reidy
School Supt .................Linda Driscoll
Selectboard...........(chair) Steven Verney
Anthony Palmieri
Jennifer Sandova

 

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Swift River Valley Historical Society, located in the Whitaker-Clary House and North Prescott Church on Elm Street. Photographs and memorabilia offer a look at the history of the four towns that were flooded to create the Quabbin Reservoir, as well as portions of New Salem that were lost. Displays include a fire truck, circa 1920, from the town of Dana and the New Salem guide post from the 1850's. The buildings housing the exhibits are historical structures. Open July and August, Wednesday and Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m. September to mid-October Sunday 2:00-4:00p.m. Call 978-544-6882 for more information.

The Bear's Den, off Neilson Road, south of Lake Mattawa, a 100-foot deep gorge carved by the middle branch of the Swift River cascading off granite cliffs. Bear's Den is said to have been a meeting place for Indian tribes. Look for a sign reading "Trustees of Reservations."

Quabbin Reservoir, along Route 202, consists of 39 square miles of reservoir on 81,000 acres of reservation land. The Quabbin is a protected drinking water supply for nearly half the people of Massachusetts. Access is subject to many rules and regulations which are strictly enforced by the Metropolitan District Commission. Recreational boating, swimming, camping and hunting are prohibited, although a controlled hunt to manage the deer herd is held by lottery in December. Restricted fishing is allowed from mid-April to mid-October. Snowmobiling, cross country skiing, hiking and woods road bicycling are allowed in many areas. A boat ramp is located at Gate 31 in New Salem, off Route 122, just south of the intersection with Route 202. This area provides a great variety of warm water fish in addition to trout and salmon. The Quabbin's wildlife includes eagles and loons. Call the MDC Quabbin Visitor Center at Winsor Dam in Belchertown at 413-323-7221 for further information.

New Salem Old Home Days, is an annual summer festival that features crafts, games, food and music. Held on the fourth Saturday in July. It is held in the center of town.

Quabbin Overlook, offers one of the best views of the Quabbin Reservoir and is accessible. The town's main street is South Main and runs next to the Town Common. A semi-circle-shaped road goes around the fire station. At the back of the arch is the road to the Overlook.

 

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New Salem's history began on December 31, 1734, when the General Court granted a township six miles square to 60 residents of Salem, who then set about recruiting settlers. The first settler is believed to be Jeremiah Meacham, who paid 10 pounds for a lot and came to the area in 1737. The names of other early settlers included Trask, Southwick, Felton, Goodale, Wier, Cary, Childs, Kellogg, Powers and Rugg.

The town was governed by Salem until being incorporated on June 15, 1753. Up until that time, the settlers relied on farming for subsistence. Industries that eventually developed were sawmills, gristmills and tanneries. The town also became well known for the production of palm leaf hats and butter, and for supplying ferns and laurel to florists throughout North America.

The town was on the route taken by Captain Daniel Shays and his men in 1787 during Shays Rebellion. Route 202, which runs the length of New Salem, is named Daniel Shays Highway. Some 10 years before Shays' march, the town was part of the route traveled by 1,000 Hessian captives who were being taken from Saratoga, N. Y. to the Boston area. A road named Hessian Lane and a stone marker commemorate the occasion.

New Salem Academy, which served as both a private preparatory school and the town's high school, was established in 1795 and for many years was the center of educational and cultural life. The school remained in existence until 1968.

The town was impacted greatly by the building of the Quabbin Reservoir during the 1930's. Much of the town is off-limits wilderness controlled by the Metropolitan District Commission, which oversees the Quabbin. Three streets leading from the town common end at Quabbin gates.