Amherst, NH History

Amherst Town Web Site 

Amherst was first chartered in 1728 as Narragansett No. 3, later called Souhegan No. 3.  In January, 1760 it was chartered as Amherst, n

amed for General Jeffrey Amherst, commander-in-chief of the British forces in America.  The town boundaries were much larger then.  Amherst provided a strip of land in 1750 to form Merrimack.  Half of the now-defunct town of Monson was added to Amherst in 1770.  In 1794, Amherst's Southwest Parish became Milford.  In 1803, its North Parish became the town of Mont Vernon.

Amherst Landmarks

The village green of Amherst is the most notable landmark in town.  The area is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and also is protected by a local historic district.  The town center is filled with colonial homes.

Amherst Highway Access

Routes 122 and 101 run through Amherst providing access to Interstate 293 and Interstate 93 or the F.E. Everett Turnpike.  Approximate driving time to other cities and towns: Boston, 1 hour; Keene, 1 hour; Portsmouth, 75 minutes; White Mountains, 2 hours.