Nichewaug, Massachusetts

Nichewaug is a village in Massachusetts, part of the town of Petersham. It is close to the Quabbin Reservoir and the former town of Dana, Massachusetts. The village was likely depopulated due to the construction of the nearby reservoir, and has a few houses today. The village has been assigned the zip code of 01366.[1]

Nichewaug Cemetery

Etymology

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The name of the village means "the land between" in the long-extinct Loup A language[2] spoken by the indigenous Nipmuck people.[3]

History

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Prior to European arrival, which began in the early 18th century, the area had been a culturally significant meeting place for the Nipmuck people, who gathered resources there through waterways.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Petersham, MA zip code". United States Zip Codes. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Gustafson, Holly (May 1, 2000). "Abstract". A Grammar of the Nipmuck Language (PDF) (Master of Arts thesis). University of Manitoba. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  3. ^ Coolidge (1948), p. 17
  4. ^ "Historical Society Presents History of Nichewaug". Petersham, MA: Athol Daily News. April 19, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.

Bibliography

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Coolidge, Mabel Cook (1948). The History of Petersham, Massachusetts. The Petersham Historical Society. Retrieved July 20, 2024. 42°26′15″N 72°12′13″W / 42.43750°N 72.20361°W / 42.43750; -72.20361