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Gardner, MA

Frequently asked questions

Gardner, MA

Gardner, officially the City of Gardner, is a city in Worcester County in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,287 in the 2020 census. Gardner is home to such sites as the Blue Moon Diner, Dunn State Park, Gardner Heritage State Park, and Mount Wachusett Community College.

Named in honor of Thomas Gardner, the land was first settled by Europeans in 1764 and was officially incorporated as a town in 1785, after receiving land grants from the surrounding towns of Ashburnham, Templeton, Westminster, and Winchendon.  In circa 1805, Gardner became a center for lumber and furniture industries and is now known as "The Chair City" and "The Furniture Capital of New England", due to its long history of production in that industry. By 1910, there were twenty chair factories, which produced four million chairs per year. It was also noted for silversmithing. The Gardner State Hospital pioneered the use of cottage residences.

In 1922, the seal of Gardner was designed by the native-born illustrator Harrison Cady. According to the city code, the seal portrays Thomas Gardner standing in front of Crystal Lake with Mount Monadnock in the distance. Within five smaller circles, there is a chair, representing the importance of the furniture industry to the city economy, as well as the letters W, W, A, and T, representing the surrounding towns of Westminster, Winchendon, Ashburnham, and Templeton, which all contributed land to the city at its founding. Gardner was incorporated as a city in 1923.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Gardner has a total area of 23.0 square miles (60 km2), of which 22.2 square miles (57 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), or 3.52%, is water. The city is situated on Crystal Lake. Its highest point is the summit of Reservoir Hill, close to the city center, with an elevation of over 1,280 feet (390 m) above sea level.

Gardner is bordered by Winchendon and Ashburnham to the north, Westminster to the east, Hubbardston to the south, and Templeton to the west, all in Massachusetts.

Gardner places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Heywood Hospital and Greater Gardner Community Health Center offer a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Start your day with a serene hike at Doane's Falls or North Central Pathway, perfect for nature enthusiasts. For family fun, visit Funstuf Party Place, an indoor amusement center. If you're looking for a unique challenge, try the Curious Escape Rooms, where you can solve puzzles in themed rooms. Water lovers will enjoy the tranquil Asnacomet Pond.

Top sites in Gardner, MA are Dunn State Park, Gardner Museum, SK Haunted Victorian Mansion, and Gardner Municipal Golf Course.

Population: 21,381 (2024). ZIP code: 01440. Area codes: 978; 351. Elevation: 1,100 ft (324 m). Area: 23.0 square miles (60 km2).

FAQs

What is Gardner, Massachusetts famous for?

The City achieved international recognition as a major center for chair fabrication to the point that it became known as the "chair city of the world", a testament to this is a 20-foot-tall chair sitting in front of the Helen Mae Sauter School. Gardner is home to numerous fine furniture outlets and is often called the "Furniture Capital of New England". Manufacturing is still a significant part of our local economy, but now it is diversified rather than concentrated in chair and furniture manufacturing. Gardner is also proud to say that within her 23 square miles, one can find Mount Wachusett Community College, Heywood Hospital, many unique shops, and a wide array of recreational opportunities including an outstanding municipal golf course and the southern terminus of the North Central Pathway which will soon offer bikers and walkers a link to downtown Winchendon.

Is Gardner, MA a nice place to live?

Gardner is in Worcester County. Living in Gardner offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Gardner, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Gardner and residents tend to lean liberal.

What is the crime rate in Gardner, MA?

Gardner has an overall crime rate of 11 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Gardner is 1 in 92. Gardner's crime rate is lower than approximately 27% of Massachusetts communities. However, compared to other communities of similar population size, Gardner has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than the average. This means that for comparably sized cities all across America, Gardner is safer than most according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis of FBI crime data.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Gardner

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Dunn State Park 

Gardner Museum 

SK Haunted Victorian Mansion 

Gardner Municipal Golf Course

Heywood Hospital 

Greater Gardner Community Health Center

Doane's Falls

North Central Pathway

Funstuf Party Place

Curious Escape Rooms

Asnacomet Pond

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