The town includes the Chester Factory Village Historic District.

The General Court chose the name “Chester” instead and passed the act to change its name on February 21, 1783.

[5] Set on the eastern edge of the Berkshires, Chester forms the northwestern corner of Hampden County.

It is bordered by Huntington on the east, Worthington and Middlefield on the north, Becket on the west, and Blandford on the south.

The West Branch of the Westfield flows through the western and southern parts of town and passes through the village of Chester, while the Middle Branch flows through the northern and eastern parts of the town, passing through the villages of North Chester and Dayville.

The small village of Chester Center occupies high ground between the two river branches.

This remains the hottest temperature ever recorded in the state of Massachusetts, along with a similar reading in New Bedford on the same day.

[21][22] In fiscal year 2008, the town of Chester spent 1.04% ($28,512) of its budget on its public library—some $22 per person.