Originally settled in the early 1700s, "Fitchburg, like other New England cities, [is] trying to sort out her problems while attempting to build on her assets. We, in Fitchburg, have a worthy heritage, not only in our people but in our physically constructed environment. The buildings all around us are an often overlooked asset to our city. Many of Fitchburg's historically and architecturally important buildings are not fully appreciated. Attractive mill buildings lie empty, stores vacant, and at times, what were once the best homes in town are now abandoned. Can we make productive use of Fitchburg's unusually rich history and architecture?" (Brief History of Fitchburg, para 14).