About: Amherst, Massachusetts
When Amherst was incorporated in 1759, the colonial governor ordered residents to name the town after Jeffrey Amherst, a hero of the French-Indian War. Many colonial governors were assigning the name Amherst to many newly incorporated towns, which is why there are so many towns in the area with the name Amherst. The town's name is pronounced without the "h" which is different than several other towns with the same name. Notable residents have included poet Emily Dickinson, poet Robert Frost, actress Uma Thurman, Executive Director of NORML Allen St. Pierre, and writer Augusten Burroughs (Running with Scissors).
Population: 34874
Local Newspapers: Daily Hampshire Gazette, Springfield Journal
Local Sports Teams: Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, New England Revolution
Local Colleges: Amherst College, Hampshire College, University of Massachusetts—Amherst