Dover
New Hampshire
Town Of Shirley
Located in Middlesex County about 50 miles north of Boston and only a town or two from the New Hampshire border, Shirley is governed by Open Town Meeting and a three-member Board of Selectmen. The town offers modern amenities and a slice of quiet, small town life, with rural ambience, a sense of civic pride and volunteer spirit among residents and well-preserved historic roots. The town has a full compliment of municipal services courtesy of the town’s police, fire and highway departments.
Shirley’s small but friendly business community has growth potential. A new regional school system shared with the neighboring Town of Ayer officially launched in 2011. Other perks include reasonably-priced homes, convenient commuter rail service via the train station in Shirley Village and highway access via Route 2A and nearby Route 2.
Settled in 1720 and incorporated in 1753, Shirley was named for a former governor. Some names in town are those of founding families and many handsome historic homes still stand, particularly in the picture-perfect Town Center, where the gracious white spire of Shirley’s Historic Meetinghouse rises high above the trees. The original section of the First Parish Meetinghouse was erected in 1773 and formerly housed religious congregations. More than a cherished landmark and charming timepiece today, the Historic Meetinghouse is lovingly preserved by a private group and hosts a variety of cultural and community events, some of which help pay for its maintenance.
Shirley’s population as of the 2010 Federal Census was 7,211, swelled some by the populations of two state prisons. Tucked away in a remote section of town, the sprawling MCI Shirley and Sousa Baranowski grounds include the site of a former Shaker village whose spiritual name was Pleasant Garden. The Shakers were a religious sect that thrived during the late 19th and early 20th century. Noted for their industry and celibate, communal lifestyle, there were several Shaker villages in New England, including Harvard, Lancaster and Shirley.
The Shirley Shaker Meeting House was built in 1793 by architect Moses Johnson and held its first service the same year. The building was later relocated to the Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Mass. The Shirley Shaker community was one of the sect’s smallest. Its highest membership was 150 in the 1840s.By the late 1880’s, there were only about 15 people left, including the last Shirley Elder, John Whiteley, after whom the town’s war memorial park is named. His death in 1905 signaled the closing of the village. Sister Annie Belle Tuttle was one of the last Shirley Shakers. At age 20, she was most likely the caretaker of several young girls and apparently enjoyed her life. “There is no place like Shirley,” she wrote. Many modern-day Shirley residents might echo that sentiment.
Recent News
Town of Shirley - Rabies Clinics - 2023
Sponsored by Nashoba Associated Boards of Health Please see attached list for upcoming rabies clinics in the local area for March/April 2023. Click Here For More Information About The Town of Shirley - Rabies Clinics -…
Read More »Town Of Shirley Newsletter - March 2023
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Read More »Town Of Shirley : Spring 2023 Shirley Youth Soccer Registration Open February 1, 2023
Spring 2023 Shirley Youth Soccer Registration is now open for Grade 2 and under. We have spots for all children with birth dates before 8/31/2019. Register here: https://secure.adminsports.net/shirleymarec Season start date (pending weather and…
Read More »Town Of Shirley Newsletter - February 2023
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Read More »Town Of Shirley News - Registration for Spring 2023 Ayer Shirley Youth Soccer is Open
Registration for Spring 2023 Ayer Shirley Youth Soccer is open Registration deadline is Monday, February 6 Reminder from the Ayer Shirley Youth Soccer Program Registration for Spring 2023 Ayer Shirley Youth Soccer is open. The registration…
Read More »Town Of Shirley : Clerk's Work Schedule - January 23 - January 27, 2023
The Town Clerk's Office will have limited hours for the week of Monday, January 23, 2023 to Friday, January 27, 2023. The office will be open only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, January 23 through Thursday, January 26, 2023 and will be closed on…
Read More »Town Of Shirley - Penguins Winter Swim 2023 Registration open January 2, 2023
The Shirley Penguins swim team provides an affordable program for swimmers to take part in during the winter. Basic swimming skills are needed, this is not a learn-to-swim program. Swimming with your face in the water for one length of the pool is…
Read More »Annual Street Listings (Town Census)
Every household in Shirley will soon be receiving their Annual Street Listing form (also known as the Town Census) from the Town Clerk's Office. When you receive it, please take a minute or two to review the information on the form (it is pink this…
Read More »Town Of Shirley Council On Aging Newsletter - January 2023
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Read More »Town Of Shirley Newsletter - December 2022
Click Here to view the Town Of Shirley Newsletter - December 2022
Read More »Town Of Shirley News - Upcoming Work Schedule for November/December in Town Clerk's Office
Upcoming Work Schedule for November/December in Town Clerk's Office The following are the days and times in November and December 2022 that the Town Clerk's Office will be closed all or part of the day for a variety of reasons including holidays,…
Read More »Town Of Shirley News : November 15, 2022
E.L.HARVEY CUSTOMERS:- THURSDAY, NOV. 24TH PICKUP WILL BE FRIDAY, NOV. 25TH. FRIDAYS PICKUP WILL BE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH.
Read More »Town Of Shirley : 33rd Annual Scouting For Food
Once again this year, the Scouts Of Shirley have undertaken a "Good Deed." Each scouting unit in town will help to collect food for distribution to those in need. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venture Scouts, sports teams, and students from…
Read More »2023 Dog Licenses Going On Sale Thursday, December 1, 2022
2023 Dog Licenses are going on sale starting Thursday, December 1, 2022. Dogs must be licensed prior to February 1, 2023 to avoid a $5 per dog late fee. Dog licenses can be obtained in person at the Town Clerk's Office by paying cash, check made…
Read More »Town Of Shirley - Upcoming RAD Self-Defense Class
Chief Santiago is pleased to announce that the Shirley Police Department will be hosting a RAD self-defense class on Tuesday November 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 6-9pm which will be taught by our very own Certified RAD Instructor, Police Officer Brett…
Read More »Town Of Shirley Council On Aging Newsletter - November 2022
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Read More »Town Of Shirley News - Public Testing of Imagecast Machine for November 8, 2022 Election
Public Testing of Imagecast Machine for November 8, 2022 Election Town Office Building, 7 Keady Way The Town Clerk will be conducting the official testing of the ImageCast vote tabulating machine on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. Each…
Read More »Town Of Shirley Newsletter October 2022
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Read More »Town Of Shirley - Shirley Youth Soccer Fall 2022
Registration for the Fall 2022 season of Shirley Youth Soccer is now open. We will have our normal offering of four different age groups: PS/K24 for children entering kindergarten in Fall 2024. PK/K23 for children entering kindergarten in Fall…
Read More »Town Of Shirley - Make Your Voice Heard!
The survey is still open in order to maximize input. Please consider completing it if you haven't already and remind your town friends and neighbors. Thank you for your time. Your input is needed for this 7-10 minute survey. The Shirley Open…
Read More »Town Of Shirley Newsletter - August 2022
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Read More »Town Of Shirley - Additional Important Information Regarding Upcoming 2022 Elections
Please see attached for important information regarding upcoming 2022 Election dates and times, In person voting, vote by mail and voter registration information. Click Here To View The Town Of Shirley - Additional Important Information Regarding…
Read More »Town Of Shirley Newsletter July 2022
Click Here To View Town Of Shirley Newsletter July 2022
Read More »Town Of Shirley - Ayer-Shirley Youth Soccer registrations are now open for fall season
Deadline to sign up is July 29 Registration for Ayer Shirley Youth Soccer’s fall 2022 season is open! ASYS is for players in grades 3 through 12. Players in grades 2 and under should register through Shirley Recreation or the Ayer Parks…
Read More »Town Of Shirley News - June 22, 2022
E. L. HARVEY CUSTOMERS -"EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022 - MONDAY HOLIDAY'S WILL NO LONGER DELAY TRASH/RECYCLING COLLECTION". THERE IS NO DELAY FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 4TH - PLEASE FOLLOW YOUR NORMAL COLLECTION SCHEDULE. EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022 - THE PRICE FOR…
Read More »Town Of Shirley Newsletter June 2022
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