NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Founded in 1654 after previously being inhabited by Native Americans and incorporated as a city in 1884, Northampton is the thriving cultural heart of Western Massachusetts. Home to almost 30,000 residents, including one of the largest and most vocal gay communities in the country, Northampton is a haven for the arts, culture, academia, and liberal thinking. Northampton is also home to Smith College, one of the world's most prestigious institutions, and one of the most active live music scenes in the country.Over the years, Northampton has been home to some of the most important figures in American history, all contributing to its reputation as an intellectual and culture capital. Local residents have included writers like Sylvia Plath, Kurt Vonnegut, Eric Carle, and William Cullen Bryant; musicians Dar Williams and the members of Sonic Youth; early American historical figures Sojourner Truth and Jonathan Edwards; and many others.