Amherst, New Hampshire

With its beautifully preserved colonial village center and highly regarded schools, Amherst is an affluent bedroom community with ample New England charm. About 10 miles west of Nashua and near the Massachusetts border, Amherst has grown over the past 50 years into a prestigious suburban community of over 11,000 residents. Because most of Amherst’s business and shopping is on Route 101A outside the residential areas, the town retains an idyllic, old-fashioned character.

Amherst residents pride themselves on the town’s history and community traditions. Granted in 1728 and named in 1760, Amherst was an important colonial New Hampshire hub until the railroad bypassed it in the mid-19th century. Now the town is still a popular early stop for presidential primary candidates. Amherst is the birthplace of Horace Greeley, who founded the New York Tribune, helped to found the Republican party, ran for president in 1872, and famously decreed, “Go west, young man.” In celebration of these roots, Amherst residents have meticulously preserved many antique homes in the town center, which also retains the original schoolhouse, meeting house, and village green. Every year, community volunteers organize a Fourth of July parade, a Labor Day celebration, Halloween festivities, and a renowned Christmas Tree Lighting Festival celebrated in mid-December which, beyond the tree lighting on the green, features concerts, bazaars, hayrides, children’s events including visits with Santa, live Nativities, and a town-wide spaghetti supper.

Civic, educational, and recreational organizations abound in Amherst. Highlights include a town band and community chorus, an active historical society, a garden club, a motorcycle club, a chapter of the American Association of University Women, and a newcomers club to help new residents make community ties. Youth opportunities include many sports leagues, day camp, and Destination ImagiNation, an international program that organizes extensive educational and service programs for children and young adults. The Peabody Mill Environmental Center and Joe English Reservation offers hiking trails, winter snowshoe rentals, and a small nature museum. Nearby, the Jasper Valley Swim & Tennis Club provides members with tennis courts, several pools, a swim team, and family social activities.

Amherst and neighboring Mount Vernon share the Souhegan Cooperative School District, including the award-winning Souhegan High School. In 1992, Souhegan High School joined the Coalition of Essential Schools initiative, emphasizing interdisciplinary teaching and projects, student independence, and required community service. Currently, approximately 1,030 students attend grades 9-12. In Amherst, 2 elementary schools serve about 830 students grades K-4. The Amherst Middle School serves nearly 900 students; Amherst sends students grades 5-8 and Mount Vernon grades 7-8.

Sources:

http://www.amherstnh.gov/

http://www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/htmlprofiles/amherst.html

http://www.sprise.com/