Brimfield #13: Central MA’s Best Communities

Thursday, June 28, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Brimfield

Brimfield is home to the largest outdoor antique show in New England, the Brimfield Antique Show. The Show runs three times a year for six days in May, July and September, and occupies about a mile of space along Route 20 on both sides of the road.

The Brimfield Library was built in 1879, and the residents of Brimfield in that time found an interesting way to pay for their new library. A dog tax was collected, raising just over $700 to pay for the new public library.

Brimfield is the most affordable town in Central Mass, and its education rank is #22. The town falls to #55 for arts and culture, and its safety ranking is 51st.

Brimfield by the numbers

Established: 1731
Population: 3,609
Median household income: $75,625
Median housing price: $120,400

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 13
Affordability ranking: 1
Education ranking: 22
Economic condition ranking: 30
Safety ranking: 51
Arts & Culture ranking: 55
Restuarant ranking: 45

History in a nutshell:

Brimfield was settled in 1706. By Massachusetts’ law, the town first needed a church before it could be incorporated. The first settled church was built in 1721 and the town was incorporated 10 years later. Brimfield's borders were not finalized until 1763. The town was a popular stop for stage coaches traveling from Springfield, Providence, Hartford and Worcester. The first hotel was built in 1808 to accommodate passengers and vacationers. Since 1959 Brimfield has been home to the largest outdoor antiques show in New England--the Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Shows--held three times a year. Thousands of vendors and crafts people come to sale their wares at the famous show.

Famous residents:

William Eaton, Military leader during the Barbary Wars
Erasmus D Keyes, Military General who led the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War

Notable residents source: Wikipedia
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton