Belchertown, situated in the Pioneer Valley region of Western Massachusetts, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its story begins with the earliest settlers, who migrated from Massachusetts seacoast towns, bringing with them Yankee ingenuity, courage, and strong religious convictions. The town was first settled in 1731 and officially incorporated in 1761 as Cold Spring, later renamed Belcher’s Town, and eventually Belchertown. The name pays homage to Jonathan Belcher, a colonial governor of Massachusetts¹².

Belchertown’s landscape, once submerged under sea water millions of years ago, transformed through volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and glacial periods. Today, it perches atop a hill, offering breathtaking views of the Connecticut Valley to the west and the Quaboag Valley to the east. The famed Quabbin Reservoir and the nearby University of Massachusetts draw visitors, while remnants of Native American settlements and historic homes evoke a sense of the past. The town’s evolution includes the Belchertown State School, which stood for 70 years and now gives way to redevelopment for mixed uses, including community agriculture and wildlife preservation³.