Westfield, MA

Westfield is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,527 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area.

Westfield was first settled in 1636 as part of Charlestown. The town was officially incorporated on October 12, 1713 and named for Field Marshal Henry Wotton, 1st Baron Wotton (1634-1723), an English statesman and philosopher who served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under two successive Prime Ministers, Sir Robert Walpole and William Pitt the Younger.

The first settler in what would become Westfield was John Winthrop Jr., son of the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1636 he purchased from the Native Americans land along what is now Route 128 in what is now Westfield. He built a house on this property which still stands today as The Governor Winthrop House Museum (located at 5 Governor Winthrop Drive).

In 1714, General James Abercrombie led a British force into Charlestown during the War of Spanish Succession after being dispatched by King George I to take control of Boston from its Dutch colonial rulers. Abercrombie's troops marched through Westfield on their way to Charlestown and stopped at John Winthrop Jr.'s farmhouse where they were given food and lodging for the night before continuing their march to Boston. This event is commemorated by a plaque located near where Abercrombie's troops stopped at Winthrop's farmhouse on Route 128 in Westfield (see photo below).

The next year saw another British incursion into Massachusetts when General Thomas Gage arrived with reinforcements from London to take control of Boston after it had been occupied by American colonists led by Paul Revere. Gage ordered all civilians out of Boston and placed military personnel in charge; this event also took place near where Abercrombie's troops had stopped at Winthrop's farmhouse on Route 128 in Westfield (see photo below).

On July 2, 1775, just days after Lexington and Concord had been fought nearby, British forces under General William Howe landed near Plymouth Rock intending to capture that city as well as any other rebel strongholds in New England. After a three-day siege Howe finally captured Plymouth Rock on July 18th; this event also occurred near where Abercrombie's troops had stopped at Winthrop's farmhouse on Route 128 in Westfield (see photo below).

After Lexington and Concord there was no turning back for the American Revolutionaries; they continued to fight until victory was achieved six years later on September 3rd, 1783 – which also happened to be America’s Independence Day – when George Washington led his army across the Delaware River into New Jersey triumphantly leading them towards victory over Britain’s armies stationed throughout North America (see photo below).

Westfield played an important role during both World Wars; during World War I it became home to Camp Edwards which housed over 100000 soldiers before being decommissioned in 1919; while during World War II it became home to Camp Edwards II which housed over 150000 soldiers before being decommissioned in 1945 (see photos below).

Today much has changed since those early days when Westfield began its journey as one of Massachusetts' earliest settlements; today it is home to one of America’s largest shopping malls – The Shops at White City – as well as numerous other businesses and attractions including: two professional sports teams -the Boston Red Sox baseball team and Manchester United soccer team - two major movie theaters - Regal Fenway Stadium & Showcase Cinema - numerous restaurants & bars - two public golf courses -and much more!