Hampden, MA

Hampden is a town in western Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 36,829. Hampden is home to Hampshire College and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

The area that Hampden now occupies was first settled by Europeans in 1634 as part of the Pembroke colony. The community was originally known as "Highfield." In 1727, Hampden became part of Berkshire County and was chartered as a town in 1781. The town's name commemorates General William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708-1778), who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1756 to 1761.

Hampden is located in western Massachusetts at 41°12′N 71°48′W / 41.2°N 71.8°W / 41.2; -71.8 (41.218322). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land。

The highest point in Hampden is Mount Wachusett at 3,524 feet above sea level; it is also home to Hampshire College's Mount Wachusett Observatory which offers views over much of New England including Boston and Martha's Vineyard . Other notable peaks include Mount Greylock (3,491 feet), Mount Holyoke (3,291 feet), and Mount Everett (2,702 feet). The Connecticut River forms most of Hampden's eastern border with Springfield while its western border follows Main Street westward until it meets Interstate 91 just north of Northampton Town Hall . There are several small creeks that flow through Hampden including Deer Brook, Mill Brook and West Branch Deer Brook which all empty into the Connecticut River near downtown Northampton .

As with most towns in New England, there are many hills and valleys within Hampden providing plenty of opportunities for hiking or biking trails as well as scenic drives along its many rural roads . In addition to its natural beauty there are also many historic sites worth exploring such as the John F Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum which sits on former farmland just outside downtown Northampton , or Foxwoods Resort Casino which lies just south east of downtown Springfield on Route 9A /  Massachusetts Turnpike / Interstate 90 . Nearby cities include Amherst MA to the north east; Hadley MA to the south east; Northampton MA to the west; Springfield MA to the south west; and Worcester MA just across Interstate 91