Rutland, Massachusetts, United States

🇺🇸 Rutland is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Rutland is the geographic centre of Massachusetts; a tree, the Central Tree, located on Central Tree Road, marks the general spot.

History The town was first settled by Europeans in 1666 and was originally called "Naquag", a name which came from Nipmuc. Officially incorporated in 1713, the Town of Rutland was made up of Barre, Hubbardston, Oakham, Princeton, and the northern half of Paxton. In Northern Rutland there are prison camps used during the Revolutionary War used for captured Hessian mercenaries hired by the British. The town's most famous citizen is Rufus Putnam, who was George Washington's chief engineer in the American Revolutionary War. He held various town offices in Rutland and served as Representative to the General Court. Later, he led a group of Revolutionary War veterans west to settle in the Northwest Territory and Putnam became known as the "Father of Ohio". The Rufus Putnam House still stands, and is now a B&B. It is depicted on the town seal.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.4 square miles (94 km²), of which 35.3 square miles (91 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), or 3.16%, is water.

Rutland is bordered by Princeton on the north-east, Holden on the east, Paxton on the south-east, Oakham on the south-west, and Barre and Hubbardston on the northwest. Rutland has five villages within its limits: New Boston, West Rutland, Muschopauge, North Rutland, and Turkey Hill.

Rutland is approximately 13 miles (21 km) north-west of Worcester, 52 miles (84 km) west of Boston, and 181 miles (291 km) north-east of New York City. Rutland is the highest town between The Berkshires and the Atlantic. The town common is 1,200 feet (370 m) above sea level. Rutland is the geographical centre of Massachusetts.

Arts and culture Each year, Rutland holds a four-day-long Fourth of July celebration, beginning on July 1. Events include performances by area musicians, a lip-sync concert, chicken barbecue hosted by the local Fire Brigade, a Historical Society Lemonade Social, and an acclaimed fireworks show. On the Fourth, Rutland holds a parade with floats made by local organizations and special guests including local and regional politicians.

August also brings in the Central Tree Chowder Chili Challenge, an event hosted and sponsored by the Rutland Fire Brigade. Area restaurants compete for local bragging rights for having the best area clam chowder. With two ways to "win", restaurants compete for both the people's choice as well as the votes of their peers and competitors.

While the main draw to the day is the clam chowder, the event has evolved into a family-oriented day. There is no admission fee except for those who wish to sample the chowder. However, there are also pony rides, face painting, "exotic" animal exhibits, inflatable rooms for kids, a free "train ride" (a lawn tractor towing three cars around the local athletic track), as well as miscellaneous vendors, both local and from surrounding towns.

Proceeds go to the local Fire Brigade, which uses the money for restoration of the town's original fire station, and also to help supplement the expenses of the Fire Department by purchasing much needed equipment that would otherwise have to wait for town funding.

Education Rutland is a part of the Wachusett Regional School District.

There are two elementary schools: Naquag Elementary, for grades up to 2nd, and Glenwood Elementary, grades 3rd through 5th.

The middle school is Central Tree Middle School.

The public high schools are Wachusett Regional High School in Holden, and Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton.

Rutland is also home to the residential treatment facility, Devereux School. Devereux provides educational and psychological services to youth aged 6–21.

Library The Rutland public library was founded c. 1865. In fiscal year 2008, the town of Rutland spent 1.16% ($159,360) of its budget on its public library—some $20.17 per person, per year ($26.58 adjusted for inflation to 2022).