Ashfield, Massachusetts Facts for Kids

Ashfield is a small town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for its beautiful natural areas and quiet charm. In 2020, about 1,695 people lived here. Ashfield is part of the larger Springfield area.

Ashfield's Early Days
Famous People from Ashfield
Ashfield's Location and Nature
- Hills and Waterways
- Getting Around Ashfield
Ashfield's Population
Schools in Ashfield
Ashfield's Library
Other Notable People
See Also

Ashfield's Early Days

Ashfield was first settled in 1743. It became an official town in 1765. The area was first called "Huntstown." This name honored Captain Ephraim Hunt. He was a soldier who died in King William's War, a conflict between England and France. He had received the land for his service.

The first people to live here permanently arrived in 1745. Richard Ellis, an Irish immigrant, was one of them. When the town became official, its name changed to Ashfield. People debate why the name changed. It might be because of the many ash trees in the area. Or, it could be named after Ashfield, England, where Governor Bernard had friends.

In the 1800s, Ashfield had a small industry making peppermint. But mostly, the town's economy relied on farming. Today, some people also visit Ashfield Lake for fun.

Famous People from Ashfield

Ashfield is the birthplace of several important people.

Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959) was a very famous film director and producer. His parents were visiting the town when he was born.
Alvan Clark (1804–1887) was an astronomer in the 1800s. He was also known for making powerful telescopes.
William S. Clark (1826–1886) was Alvan's son. He was a state senator and the third president of Massachusetts Agricultural College. This college is now UMass Amherst.

Ashfield's Location and Nature

Ashfield is located in the southwest part of Franklin County. It borders Hampshire County. The town covers about 104.3 square kilometers (40.3 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Ashfield is surrounded by other towns. These include Buckland to the north and Conway to the east. To the south is Goshen. The western side borders Cummington and Plainfield.

Hills and Waterways

Ashfield is in the eastern foothills of The Berkshires. It has several tall hills, like Ridge Hill in the north. Many rivers and brooks flow through the town. These include the South River and the "western" Swift River. Most of these waters flow into the Deerfield River or the Connecticut River.

Ashfield Lake is near the center of town. It flows into the South River and is a popular spot for recreation. Parts of the Poland Brook Wildlife Management Area and the Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest are also in Ashfield. These areas offer beautiful natural spaces.

Getting Around Ashfield

Two main roads meet in Ashfield: Route 112 (north-south) and Route 116 (east-west). They share a small section of road near Ashfield Lake. The closest major highway, Interstate 91, is about 12 miles (19 km) away.

For public transport, the nearest bus service is in Greenfield. Small planes can be found at Turners Falls airport. The closest train station is also in Greenfield. For international flights, the nearest airport is Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

Ashfield's Population

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1840	1,579	—
1850	1,394	−11.7%
1860	1,302	−6.6%
1870	1,180	−9.4%
1880	1,066	−9.7%
1890	1,025	−3.8%
1900	955	−6.8%
1910	959	+0.4%
1920	869	−9.4%
1930	860	−1.0%
1940	872	+1.4%
1950	977	+12.0%
1960	1,131	+15.8%
1970	1,274	+12.6%
1980	1,458	+14.4%
1990	1,715	+17.6%
2000	1,800	+5.0%
2010	1,737	−3.5%
2020	1,695	−2.4%
2022	1,688	−0.4%
Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data.

In 2000, Ashfield had 1,800 people living there. This made it the thirteenth largest town in Franklin County. The population density was about 44.7 people per square mile.

Many families live in Ashfield. In 2000, about 31.8% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.43 people. The average family had 2.90 people. The median age in town was 42 years old.

Schools in Ashfield

Ashfield is part of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District. This district includes several nearby towns like Buckland and Plainfield.

Students in Ashfield attend Sanderson Academy for elementary school (Kindergarten to 6th grade). After that, they go to Mohawk Trail Regional High School. There are also private schools in the nearby Greenfield area. These include Northfield Mount Hermon School and Deerfield Academy.

For higher education, Greenfield Community College is in Greenfield. The nearest state college is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The main state university is the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Ashfield's Library

Former Ashfield public library building in 1899

The Ashfield Library Association started in 1866. It was influenced by Professor Charles Eliot Norton and Hon. George William Curtis. They were summer visitors to the town. The library used books from an older social library and new gifts.

Around 1911, Andrew Carnegie offered $3,000 to build a new library. However, some people did not want to accept the offer. The current library building, called the Belding Memorial Library, was given to the town in 1913. It was a gift from M. M. Belding, a silk maker from New York. His gift was very generous for a small farming town like Ashfield.

Other Notable People

John Q. Adams (1816–1895): He was born in Ashfield and later became a state senator in Wisconsin.
Alon Bement (1876–1954): An artist, writer, and educator born in Ashfield.
Richard Nelson Gardner (1881–1953): A lawyer who served as a state senator in Minnesota.
G. Stanley Hall (1846–1924): A very important American psychologist and educator.
Howes Brothers: Alvah (1853–1919), Walter (1861–1945), and George (1865–1925) were early American photographers.
Ray LaMontagne (1973–): A well-known musician, songwriter, and storyteller.
Henry Clay Payne (1843–1904): He served as the 40th U.S. Postmaster General from 1902 to 1904. He was also a leader in the Republican Party.
Dora Knowlton Ranous (1859–1916): An author, editor, translator, and book reviewer.

Ashfield, Massachusetts facts for kids

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