Ware, Massachusetts is a town in Hampshire County that was first settled in 1717 and incorporated in 1775. Its name comes from the Native American word for fishing weir, which was used to trap fish on the Ware River. Ware became a center of textile manufacturing in the 19th century, attracting many immigrant workers. In the 1930s, the town faced economic decline, but the residents bought shares in the struggling mills and formed Ware Industries, the first employee-owned company in America. Ware is known as “The Town that Can’t Be Licked” for its resilience and spirit¹²³

Today, Ware has a population of about 10,000 people and covers an area of 40 square miles. It is part of the Springfield metropolitan area and offers a mix of rural and urban features. Ware has many historic buildings, such as the Church Street Historic District, and natural attractions, such as the Quabbin Reservoir, which flooded four neighboring towns in the 1930s. Ware is a place of rich heritage, diverse culture, and scenic beauty¹²⁴