SHREWSBURY, MA

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Shrewsbury is a city of around 40,000 in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Shrewsbury,MA, unlike surrounding towns like Grafton, Millbury, Westborough, and Northborough, did not become a mill town or farming village; most of its 19th-century growth was due to its proximity to Worcester and visitors to Lake Quinsigamond.  

Shrewsbury, named for Shrewsbury, England, is a suburban community first settled in 1722 and officially incorporated in 1727.

Things to Do in Shrewsbury 

1. General Artemas Ward Museum

During the summer you can step inside the restored home of Artemas Ward (1727-1800), who was a successful major general in the Revolutionary War, and later a Congressman.

The Ward House belongs to Harvard University, where Ward graduated in 1748, and can be visited free of charge. Also on the property is an unusual four-story barn, created by combining two separate barn buildings in 1848.

2. Dean Park

Dean Park is Shrewsbury’s favorite public park, located on 79 acres around the namesake pond.

Dean Park is just the place for an easy walk or bike ride, with almost two miles of trails, including a paved and shaded loop around the pond.  The bandstand at Dean Park stages Shrewsbury’s summer concert series, with performances normally on Thursdays. The playground may well be the best in the city, with sandboxes, separate equipment for older and younger children, all enclosed by a chain link fence. Other amenities include baseball/softball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and a hill that is perfect for sledding in winter.

3. Ski Ward Hill

Ward Hill in the east of Shrewsbury has a ski area that has been open every winter since 1939. This compact mountain has a vertical drop of 220 feet and offers nine trails with 100% snowmaking coverage. The nine trails are equally weighted between beginner, intermediate and expert levels, and are used by several schools in the area. Every new season brings improvements and upgrades, and one popular addition has been the snow tubing facility, with five lanes and two designated lifts ensuring fun for all ages and abilities. There’s also tubing in the summer, thanks to a six-lane, 220-foot Tubaslide served by a carpet lift.

4. Prospect Park

Moments from Shrewsbury Center there’s a 71-acre park on what used to be a summer estate for the local rug and carpet manufacturer Matthew John Whitall (1843-1922). The mansion was completed in 1912 and named Juniper Hall. It was set at the highest point in town, with commanding views of Central Massachusetts. One esteemed visitor in those years was then vice-president Calvin Cooldige.

After Whitall died, the property was deeded to Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts who set up a masonic hospital in the mansion, which was eventually pulled down after the city acquired the property in the 1970s. At Prospect Park you can still see the footprint of the mansion on the hilltop, as well as ghostly reminders of the formal gardens such a semi-ruined pergola.

The kiosk at the entrance has information about the history of the estate, and the main trail is on the mansion’s old paved driveway.

5. Hebert Candies

In 1946 Frederick Hebert, the founder of Hebert Candies, purchased this Tudor stone mansion on the Hartford Turnpike in the south of Shrewsbury.  More than 75 years later, this remains the HQ and main retail outlet for the company, famed for introducing white chocolate to America after WWII.

Hebert Candies goes back to 1917 when Frederick purchased chocolate-making equipment for the humble price of $11, and over the next few decades demand skyrocketed for the chocolates and caramels that he crafted in his kitchen.  The mansion stands as America’s first roadside confectionery store, ever popular for its white chocolates, genevas, boxed assortments, seasonal chocolates, bars and sundaes.

6. Secret Garden

Hidden in a residential zone in the south of Shrewsbury is a private wooded garden open to the public and sure to delight younger children.  The Secret Garden is the work of the dedicated resident, Chief Joseph, and consists of a 0.4-mile pondside trail and side trail. These are furnished with whimsical sculptures, interactive installations, carved benches and inspiring messages for grownups. There’s so much to see, from a cute little waterfall to a giant, climbable bear, that it’s worth slowing down and making the most of the peace.

7. Broken Creek Vineyard and Winery

In the rambling countryside in the south of Shrewsbury there’s a 40-acre vineyard that developed from a winemaking hobby in the 1990s.  The owners purchased this property in 2010 and planted vines for Marquette, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, Cayuga White and Petite Pearl. These grapes are crafted into a range of varietal wines and blends, and the winery also sources grapes from California, Washington State and Chile, particularly for reds like the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Carnivore Red blend. Broken Creek partners with a local charcuterie business so you can enjoy a perfectly paired snack with your glass or bottle.

8. Summer Festival

The Town of Shrewsbury recently launched this annual event as a way to celebrate the return to “normal” life and build community ties.  A free, one-day affair, the Summer Festival takes place in early August at the Scandinavian Athletic Club Park. There are live performances throughout the day, as well as raffles and numerous local vendors including a contingent of food trucks. Children can join in all kinds of fun activities, with face painting, a petting zoo, a magician, a dunk tank and much more.

9. Food Truck Thursdays

Another popular summer ritual in Shrewsbury is a weekly food truck festival on Town Hall lawn at 100 Maple Ave. Food Truck Thursdays runs from mid-April to the end of October, and the trucks are normally parked from 4 pm to 8 pm. There’s a large rotating assortment of trucks, for hot dogs, New England-style seafood, kabobs, grilled cheese, pizza, Italian-style street food, ice cream, shaved ice and much more. You can grab food to go, or bring a blanket and have a picnic on the lawn.

 To learn more about the town of Shrewsbury and its services, please check out the Shrewsbury, MA official website at https://shrewsburyma.gov/.