PETERBOROUGH

Peterborough is a small Monadnock Region town with a cultural footprint that far outpaces its population. Home to MacDowell, one of the nation's most prestigious artist residency programs, the town served as Thornton Wilder's inspiration for Our Town and continues to attract creative practitioners.

Peterborough Players has been producing theater since 1933 and remains one of New Hampshire's most respected summer companies. Bass Hall at Monadnock Center programs concerts and cultural events in a downtown setting. Monadnock Music presents classical and chamber music concerts throughout the region with Peterborough as its base.

Peterborough draws an audience that values arts and literary culture. The MacDowell connection gives the town a quiet credibility among creative circles, and the downtown along Grove Street and Main Street has bookshops, galleries, and cafes that reflect that identity. Shows here tend toward theater, classical music, and folk rather than rock or pop.

Tip: Downtown is centered on the intersection of Grove Street and Main Street. The venues and shops are within a short walk of each other.

Neighborhoods: Downtown • Main Street • West Peterborough