Lancaster, incorporated in 1653, holds the title of the oldest town in Worcester County and is famously known as the “Mother of Towns” because it originally encompassed the lands that now form several surrounding communities. Its early history was marked by the hardships of the colonial frontier, most notably during King Philip’s War in 1676, when the town was attacked and Mary Rowlandson was taken captive, leading to one of the most famous captivity narratives in American literature. As the 19th century progressed, Lancaster distinguished itself from its more industrial neighbors by maintaining a refined, agrarian character, largely influenced by the wealthy Thayer family whose estates and philanthropy shaped the town’s architecture, including the magnificent Fifth Meeting House designed by Charles Bulfinch.

Today, Lancaster remains a tranquil, rural-suburban community that prides itself on preserving its expansive open spaces and historic integrity in the face of modern development. Unlike the densely populated industrial centers nearby, the town is characterized by its rolling farmland, orchards, and the winding North Nashua River, which offer a scenic backdrop for a predominantly residential population. It serves as a quiet retreat for professionals commuting to Worcester and Boston, while maintaining its identity as a center for education and spiritual life, anchored by landmarks like the Atlantic Union College campus and the Seventh-day Adventist community. The town continues to balance the pressures of growth with a steadfast commitment to protecting the “Old Common” and the timeless New England aesthetic that has defined it for nearly four centuries.