New Braintree, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
New Braintree, Massachusetts
|
||
|---|---|---|
New Braintree Center
|
||
|
||
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
|
||
| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Worcester | |
| Settled | 1709 | |
| Incorporated | 1775 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 20.9 sq mi (54.0 km2) | |
| • Land | 20.7 sq mi (53.6 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2) | |
| Elevation | 945 ft (288 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 996 | |
| • Density | 47.66/sq mi (18.444/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
01531
|
|
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 | |
| FIPS code | 25-45105 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0619484 | |
| Website | https://www.newbraintreema.us | |
New Braintree is a small town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. In 2020, about 996 people lived there.
Contents
A Look at New Braintree's Past
Long before settlers arrived, Native American groups lived in the New Braintree area for over 9,000 years.
How the Town Was Formed
In 1669, the town of Braintree (which is southeast of Boston) decided to buy 6,000 acres of land to the west. This land was called "Braintree Farms." It used to be part of the Quaboag Plantation.
Later, more land from Brookfield and Hardwick was added. People first settled here in 1709. The area officially became the town of New Braintree in 1751.
The State Police Academy
Since 1992, New Braintree has been home to the Massachusetts State Police Academy. This is where new state police officers get their training.
Before becoming the academy, the site was going to be a state prison in the late 1980s. However, many people in the town and a group called C.O.S.T. (Conserve Our Small Town) were against it. The new governor, William Weld, stopped the prison project.
The State Police Academy now uses the buildings and grounds of the former Seventh-day Adventist Pioneer Valley Academy. This school was open from 1965 to 1983. You can still see the old dorms and cafeteria from the school.
Exploring New Braintree's Geography
New Braintree covers about 20.9 square miles. Most of this area, about 20.7 square miles, is land. Only a small part, about 0.2 square miles, is water.
Neighboring Towns
New Braintree shares its borders with several other towns:
- To the north: Barre
- To the east: Oakham
- To the southeast: Spencer
- To the south: West Brookfield and North Brookfield
- To the southwest: Ware
- To the west: Hardwick
People and Community Life
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 852 | — |
| 1860 | 805 | −5.5% |
| 1870 | 640 | −20.5% |
| 1880 | 610 | −4.7% |
| 1890 | 573 | −6.1% |
| 1900 | 500 | −12.7% |
| 1910 | 464 | −7.2% |
| 1920 | 394 | −15.1% |
| 1930 | 407 | +3.3% |
| 1940 | 439 | +7.9% |
| 1950 | 478 | +8.9% |
| 1960 | 509 | +6.5% |
| 1970 | 631 | +24.0% |
| 1980 | 671 | +6.3% |
| 1990 | 881 | +31.3% |
| 2000 | 927 | +5.2% |
| 2010 | 999 | +7.8% |
| 2020 | 996 | −0.3% |
| 2022* | 990 | −0.6% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
||
In 2000, there were 927 people living in New Braintree. There were 318 households, and 267 of them were families. The town had about 45 people per square mile.
Who Lives Here?
Most people in New Braintree are White (99.14%). A small number of people are African American, Native American, or Asian. About 0.32% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (41.8%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (70.4%) were married couples. The average household had about 2.92 people.
Age Groups
The population in New Braintree is spread out by age:
- 29.3% were under 18 years old.
- 5.8% were between 18 and 24.
- 29.7% were between 25 and 44.
- 26.6% were between 45 and 64.
- 8.5% were 65 years or older.
The average age in town was 38 years.
Local Gathering Spot
The town's only restaurant is Reed's Country Store. Edward and Susan Reed have owned it since 1977. It serves breakfast and lunch and is a popular meeting place for people in town.
Every September, New Braintree hosts a Country Fair in the Town Center. This fair has been a tradition for over 38 years.
Education in New Braintree
New Braintree is part of the Quabbin Regional School District. This district also includes the towns of Barre, Hardwick, Hubbardston, and Oakham.
Schooling for Students
- Elementary school students (grades K–6) go to Hardwick Elementary School.
- Middle school students (grades 7–8) attend Quabbin Regional Middle School.
- High school students (grades 9–12) go to Quabbin Regional High School.
As mentioned earlier, New Braintree was also home to the Pioneer Valley Academy from 1965 to 1983.
Notable People from New Braintree
Many interesting people have connections to New Braintree:
- Charles Allen – A politician who started his law practice here.
- Alexander De Witt – A politician.
- Charles Delano – A politician.
- Francis Roach Delano – A politician.
- Charles Eames – A diplomat.
- Jonathan Fisher – A minister.
- Edwards W. Fiske – A politician.
- Henry H. Kendall – An architect.
- Calvin Pollard – An architect.
- Rufus Putnam – A military officer who lived in New Braintree.
Images for kids
-
New Braintree Center
-
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
See also
In Spanish: New Braintree para niños
