Known as "Whip City," Westfield has a rich history of innovation, transitioning from a major hub for the buggy whip industry to a center for bicycles, paper products, textile machinery, and wood products.
In 1838, Massachusetts established the first state-supported teacher training institutions in the U.S. The State Normal School opened in Barre in 1839 before relocating to Westfield, where it expanded significantly.
The institution became Westfield State Teachers College after moving to its current site on Western Avenue. In the 1960s, it was renamed Westfield State College following the introduction of a Bachelor of Arts degree.
In 2010, it joined the State University System and became Westfield State University, which offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, reflecting its ongoing commitment to education and community.