A Brief History of
Ashburnham, Massachusetts
Ashburnham, Massachusetts, was first settled in 1736 and officially incorporated in 1765. Located in Worcester County, this small town was originally part of a vast tract of land granted to officers and soldiers who had served in the Canadian wars. The area that would become Ashburnham was once heavily forested and mountainous, which shaped its early development. The town's name is believed to have been inspired by Ashburnham House in London, England, though no direct connection to the British Ashburnham family has been definitively established. Early settlers in Ashburnham were largely farmers and millworkers, who took advantage of the region’s abundant waterways and natural resources to support agriculture and small-scale industry.
By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Ashburnham grew into a thriving rural community, with sawmills, gristmills, and other small industries powered by the streams and ponds dotting the landscape. The arrival of the railroad in the 19th century helped bolster the town’s economy, linking it to larger markets in Massachusetts and beyond. Ashburnham also became known for its educational institutions, most notably Cushing Academy, which was founded in 1865 and remains a prominent private preparatory school. Despite modern development, Ashburnham has retained much of its historic charm, with a town center featuring well-preserved buildings and a scenic landscape that reflects its colonial roots.