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Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester, Massachusetts is the second largest city in New England and is located about 40 miles west of Boston in the central part of the state. The city is a popular destination for area college students, Victorian-era architecture buffs and fans of early United States history.

The city was settled by the English in 1673 and had previously been inhabited by the Native American Nipmuc tribe. Most of the tribes-people lived nearby in what is now the city of Auburn, but traveled to Worcester's Lake Quinsigamond to fish and hunt in the area.

The original settlement included about a half dozen homes, all of which burned down during an attack in 1675. The town was resettled in 1684, which was the same year the name officially became Worcester, named for the city of Worcester, England. The town experienced another devastating attack during the late 1600s and was once again settled in 1713, this time for good. It was incorporated in 1722 and chartered as a city in 1848.

Worcester was a hotbed of revolutionary activity and served as a munitions depot. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence occurred in Worcester in 1776. Isaiah Thomas, the man who performed the reading, later founded the American Antiquarian Society, featuring historic printed materials dating back to 1639.

The 1800s brought a housing boom to the area. Three-decker homes were built in the area, which offered affordable living space to a homeowner, as well as two tenant apartments that could be rented. This set-up worked well for large families in the area, as well as those moving for jobs and in need of a low-priced rented apartment home.

As of the 2000 census, there are approximately 173,000 people living in Worcester. The population is primarily Caucasian with a spattering of Native American, African American, Asian and Hispanic residents. The city is home to a large Irish population, as well as Italian and French. The population has seen a steady incline since 1990, although it was temporarily only the third largest city in New England, behind Rhode Island.

Though the city is not typically considered a tourist destination, there are several cultural centers and museums that attract both visitors and residents. The Worcester Art Museum, the EcoTarium and the Higgins Armory Museum are all popular destinations for locals and tourists. Performance venues include Mechanics Hall, the DCU Center, the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Worcester Memorial Auditorium and Tuckerman Hall. Each year the city hosts the National Poetry Slam, bringing the work of local and national poets to the city. Other annual events include Music Worcester, Inc., stART on the Street and the Worcester Music Festival, which is the nation's oldest music festival. Other music events include the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and Rock and Shock, which is also a horror convention.

Worcester is also home to two minor league sports teams. The Worcester Tornadoes are part of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball League and the Worcester Sharks are the American Hockey League affiliates of the NHL San Jose Sharks. The town is also home to a number of restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as six hotels.