North Central Massachusetts is “Revolutionary!”

Massachusetts is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

As Massachusetts prepares to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution in 2025-2026, North Central Massachusetts stands as a testament to revolutionary spirit that extends far beyond the battlefields of independence. From our thriving agricultural heritage and vibrant cultural scene to our pioneering manufacturing legacy and booming business innovation, our region continues to revolutionize and reimagine what’s possible. Here, the spirit of independence that sparked a nation lives on in every orchard, factory floor, and cultural center across our communities.

Massachusetts 250 will commemorate the many battles across the state that led to America’s independence. Experience the birthplace of American Liberty, where history was made, and the future was forged. In Massachusetts, we are embracing our history, the untold and little-known stories; we are celebrating our independence and innovations from the past 250 years. Join communities statewide as the state commemorates big events and untold stories and celebrate the revolutions still to come.

Today, that revolutionary spirit burns brighter than ever in North Central Massachusetts, where we’re writing new chapters in our region’s remarkable story.

A “Tourism Revolution” has erupted in North Central Massachusetts

Many of the state’s most popular tourist attractions and towns are right here in North Central Massachusetts, a region known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Wachusett Mountain Ski Area has grown into one of New England’s premier ski resorts. Newer attractions like Great Wolf New England, Davis Farmland & Mega Maze and Groton Hill Music Center attract thousands of visitors to the region each year. Tourism has become a major economic engine for the region. The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center on Route 2 in Lancaster welcomes more than 165,000 visitors to the region each year. It opened in 1997 in partnership with Mass Highway. Its opening was a product of the Chamber’s economic development master plan launched in 1991 and has become a model for visitor information centers across the Commonwealth. The region’s numerous walking, hiking, and bike trails offer amazing views of the leaves in fall as well as all year long. More recently North Central Mass has also become home to some of the state’s most popular amateur sports venues. Since its founding in 1994, Visit North Central Massachusetts has successfully branded the region and grown tourism’s economic impact. The industry expanded dramatically from 2004 to 2023: jobs increased from 286 to over 4,300, while wages grew from $2 million to $117.3 million. Tourism’s economic footprint also surged — from $14.3 million in visitor spending in 2004 to over $496.9 million in direct visitor spending and $8.2 million in local tax revenues by 2023.

The “Agricultural Revolution” was born in North Central Massachusetts!

North Central Massachusetts is home to the highest concentration of farms and orchards in the state. Nearly 20 active farms and orchards dot the landscape offering a wide variety of home grown, farm-to-table and pick-your-own products. North Central Mass, probably best known for its a pples, has seen tremendous growth in agritourism and agricultural events like the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Leominster and Applefest at Wachusett Mountain. It is the birthplace of Johnny Appleseed! In fact, Johnny’s 250th birthday coincides with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Born in Leominster, Johnny was an early conservationist who planted numerous orchards as settlers moved west helping to establish communities and a rugged crop for cider.

A “Cultural Revolution” is growing in North Central Massachusetts

North Central Massachusetts is home to some of the state’s most iconic cultural attractions and is rich with historic and cultural assets. The region features cultural gems like Fitchburg Art Museum, the Icon Museum, Fort Devens Museum, Fruitland Museum and the NE Botanical Garden at Tower Hill and other small specialty museums and galleries which anchor the area’s Cultural Revolution. More than a half dozen performing arts centers enrich the North Central Mass landscape – led by the world-class Groton Hill Music Center. Numerous town historical societies and robust libraries are also located through our region’s 27 towns and communities. A culinary renaissance is also occurring with a variety of restaurants featuring international cuisines and scores of food festivals and farmer’s markets.

The “Manufacturing Revolution” had its roots in North Central Massachusetts

From the “Plastics Capital of the World” to “Toy Town” to “Chair City”, North Central Massachusetts has a huge heritage as a manufacturing and industrial hub.

The region has a rich history in manufacturing, including the birthplace of the American plastics industry in Leominster. The area is home to more than 430 manufacturers, including dozens of multinational corporations. Companies range from the world class plastics industry cluster of more than 140 companies – the largest in the Northeast – to pharmaceuticals to photonics and paper, as well as biomedical devices. North Central Massachusetts is unique among workforce areas in the state in that it has double the number of manufacturing jobs as a percentage of the private labor force. Fully one-third of all private wages paid in the region are from manufacturing jobs. From a flourishing comb industry to the invention of Tupperware and the creation of the Plastic Lawn Flamingo, Leominster molded itself into the Pioneer Plastics City. Gardner earned its seat in history as Chair City producing in excess 1.2 million chairs annually at its manufacturing peak. In addition to its reputation as Toy Town, Winchendon was home to the first successful wood thickness planer, invented by Baxter Whitney. Fitchburg’s manufacturing history spans a variety of industries over the years including steam engines, world class bicycles, firearms, and paper. Clinton’s rich history as a mill town starting with the invention of the Bigelow Loom for carpets and heavy textiles. This is why we say that North Central Massachusetts is “Where Manufacturing Matters.”

A “Business Revolution” is Booming in North Central Massachusetts!

A strong and stable business base exists here in North Central Massachusetts, as well as rapidly growing industrial/commercial areas such as Devens Business Park. As home to the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone – our region features one of the only business development communities in the state. The Zone is a world-class destination for companies in leading industries like technology, advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The business revolution in North Central Massachusetts has been driven by innovation, strategic investments and an ability to adapt to shifting economic landscapes. Affordable real estate in the region makes it attractive for startups and entrepreneurs looking to establish roots. Institutions like Fitchburg State University and Mount Wachusett Community College are collaborating with local businesses to provide workforce training. Infrastructure projects such as improvements to Route 2 and easy access to the MBTA Commuter Rail from Boston make the region more appealing for logistics and transportation.

North Central Massachusetts exemplifies what it means to blend history and progress. Its revolutionary nature lies in its ability to adapt modern challenges while preserving its rich traditions and identity. It continues to inspire growth, creativity and unity, making it a model for other regions throughout the state.

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