About Peru

Incorporated in 1771, Peru, MA is located on the eastern edge of beautiful Berkshire County. Peru had a population of 814 at the 2020 census. The town has a rich rural character, and is perfect for those seeking a peaceful getaway in the country.

Our official website is designed to be user-friendly and provide the public with greater access to our municipal government. 

Our History

Originally known as Northern Berkshire Township Number 2 and including all of Hinsdale and part of Middlefield, the town was first settled in 1767 and was officially incorporated as Partridgefield in 1771. Originally named for Oliver Partridge, one of the three purchasers of the town (along with Governor Francis Bernard), the name was officially changed to Peru in 1806, on the suggestion of the Rev. John Leland, "because it is like the Peru of South America, a mountain town, and if no gold or silver mines are under her rocks, she favors hard money and begins with a P."  (From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru,_Massachusetts  )

The Berkshires town of Peru is a bedroom community for the mills in DaltonPittsfield of Berkshire county, and the Hampden county cities Springfield and West Springfield. With the highest town center in Massachusetts, more than half of Peru is woodlands, including the Dorothy Frances Rice Wildlife Sanctuary. The only lake in Peru is the privately-owned Garnet Lake. Garnet Mountain Monument commemorates 15 soldiers who were killed in a plane crash on Garnet Mountain during World War II.