Petersham center
3 South Main Street, Petersham, MA 01366
Living in Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham is the largest town by area in Central and Western Massachusetts, first settled by Europeans in 1733 and incorporated in 1754. Much of the town's land is protected or forested, including part of the Quabbin Reservoir, whose water mostly lies within Petersham and neighboring New Salem, and the Harvard Forest research property.
Petersham at a glance
- $14.24Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,707Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 45-55 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Petersham's zip code
Petersham uses the 01366 zip code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Petersham center | 01366 | Around Petersham Common at the junction of Routes 32 and 122, with Town Hall, churches, the library, and the Hutchinson Country Store. |
Things to do in Petersham, MA
Start with Harvard Forest and Fisher Museum and Quabbin Reservoir, then 2 more below.
Harvard Forest and Fisher Museum
A 4,000-acre research forest operated by Harvard University since 1907, with self-guided interpretive trails, an observation tower, and the Fisher Museum, which is open weekends and features 23 dioramas on New England forest history.
Route 32, Petersham, MA
Plan a visit to Harvard Forest and Fisher Museum (opens in a new tab)Quabbin Reservoir
Most of the reservoir's water lies within Petersham and New Salem; the former Prescott Town Hall, moved from a town flooded to build the reservoir, now sits off Route 32 in Petersham.
Petersham, MA
Federated Women's Club State Forest
A state forest in Petersham.
Petersham, MA
Petersham Common
The town's historic village center, with spired churches, Town Hall, the Hutchinson Country Store, the library, and large historic homes.
Petersham center, MA
A little history
Petersham was first settled by Europeans in 1733 and officially incorporated on April 20, 1754.
In February 1787, Petersham was the site of the second battle of Shays' Rebellion.
Construction of the Quabbin Reservoir in the 1930s expanded Petersham's land, and today most of the reservoir's water lies within Petersham and New Salem.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Petersham
Petersham's outdoor land includes Harvard Forest's trail network, the edge of the Quabbin Reservoir, and Federated Women's Club State Forest.
- Harvard ForestInterpretive trails, an observation tower, and miles of primitive roads for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.More information
- Quabbin ReservoirThe reservoir's water mostly lies within Petersham and New Salem.
- Federated Women's Club State ForestA state forest within Petersham.
Walkability and getting around Petersham
Petersham Common has a small walkable core around the town green, but most of the town, which is over 70% protected land, is rural and built around driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 29 miles45-55 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 33 miles45-55 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Petersham has no fixed-route public bus or passenger rail service; state Routes 2, 32, 122, 32A, and 101 serve the town.
Petersham property taxes
Petersham's most recent certified residential tax rate is $14.24 per $1,000 of assessed value, for FY2026 (July 2025 to June 2026). Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,424 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,707, on an average assessed value of $400,762.
Petersham's FY2026 tax rates
$14.24per $1,000, residential
- Residential$14.24 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$400,762
- Average single-family tax bill$5,707
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $13.54 |
| FY2023 | $15.79 |
| FY2024 | $14.30 |
| FY2025 | $14.49 |
| FY2026 | $14.24 |
Look up a Petersham property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-724-3353
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Petersham
Things to look into on a Petersham purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, wells & septic, protected & watershed land.
MassHousing home loans
MassHousing sets income limits by community, and they depend on household size and loan program. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans (opens in a new tab)Check the flood zone first
Petersham borders the Quabbin Reservoir, a public water-supply reservoir with development and access restrictions on adjoining state-owned watershed land. We take an early look at FEMA's map before you offer. That's not a flood determination: the official determination ordered with your loan decides whether flood insurance is required.
FEMA's flood map for Petersham (opens in a new tab)Smoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Petersham Fire Department before the sale closes.
Petersham Fire Department page (opens in a new tab)Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a sale can close.
No town water or sewer system
Petersham has no townwide public water or sewer system, so buyers should plan for well and septic inspections, including a Title 5 septic inspection before closing.
Much of Petersham is protected or watershed land
Petersham describes over 70% of its land as protected and about 90% as forested, including Harvard Forest and land bordering the Quabbin Reservoir; buyers near these areas should check for conservation restrictions or watershed rules before making an offer.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Petersham?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Petersham address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Petersham: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Petersham: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed; homes typically use propane, oil, or electric heat
- WaterMostly private wells
- Sewer or septicNo town sewer system; properties rely on private septic systems
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Town Hall offices and contacts
Petersham Town Hall is at 3 South Main Street, Petersham, MA 01366. Hours: Monday 9am-5:30pm, Tuesday 9am-2:30pm, Wednesday 9am-noon, or by appointment. Main line: 978-724-3353.
- Town HallMain line and website978-724-3353
- Select BoardTown governance.978-724-3353
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-724-3353
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-724-3353
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-724-3353
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and emergency response; issues smoke and CO certificates for home sales.
- Board of HealthSeptic, well, and food permitting.
- Petersham Memorial LibraryThe town's public library, established in 1879.
- Ralph C. Mahar Regional School DistrictRegional high school district (Orange) serving Petersham; elementary students attend the town's Petersham Center School.
Petersham, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Petersham, MA?
Petersham's most recent certified residential tax rate is $14.24 per $1,000 of assessed value, for FY2026 (July 2025 to June 2026). Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Petersham?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,696 a year at $14.24 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Petersham have a split tax rate?
No. Petersham uses a single rate of $14.24 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Petersham?
The average single-family tax bill in Petersham was $5,707 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $400,762.
What ZIP code does Petersham use?
Petersham uses ZIP code 01366.
Who supplies electricity in Petersham?
National Grid is the electric utility serving Petersham.
How far is Petersham from Worcester?
Petersham is about 29 miles northwest of Worcester.
What school district serves Petersham?
High school students attend Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School in Orange; younger students attend Petersham Center School.
Is there public transit in Petersham?
No. Petersham has no fixed-route bus or passenger rail service.
What state routes run through Petersham?
Routes 2, 32, 122, 32A, and 101 serve the town; there are no interstate highways.
Towns near Petersham
Neighbors of Petersham, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Petersham, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Petersham (CDP), Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Petersham official website: townofpetersham.gov
- About Petersham - Town of Petersham, Massachusetts: townofpetersham.gov
- Harvard Forest - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Quabbin Reservoir - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- AxisGIS - Petersham, MA: axisgis.com
- First Congregational Parish, Unitarian, Petersham, MA.jpg, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score® ratings, provided live by Walk Score. Addresses are located with the U.S. Census Bureau geocoder.
- Photo: "First Congregational Parish, Unitarian, Petersham, MA" by Public domain, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; resized.
- Checked September 25, 2026.