Many of Petersham's 1200 residents live near the village center, the remainder being scattered throughout the town in an assortment of country dwellings, new and old. Aside from its attractiveness, Petersham is blessed with a varied population desiring both to preserve and enjoy the beauty around them. An outstanding feature of Petersham is its wealth of conservation land, including not only the thousands of acres of the MDC's Quabbin Reservation, but also a number of large tracts maintained by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Harvard Forest, the Audubon Society and the Trustees of Reservations.

As a result, the sighting of bald eagles, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons and many other forms of wildlife is common. Cultural and recreational facilities in Petersham are many and varied, including the Petersham Craft Center, the Historical Society with its museum, the Memorial Library, Petersham Country Club, Curling Club, the Fisher Museum at Harvard Forest, summer band concerts staged at the renovated band stand, impressive Memorial Day ceremonies, numerous hiking and skiing trails, the Petersham Gun Club, Elizabeth Carpenter Concerts, antique show and other events sponsored by the American Legion, Grange, Lions Club and the three churches.

Petersham Mass is located in West central Massachusetts, bordered by Phillipston on the northeast; Barre on the southeast; Harwick, Ware, and Quabbin Reservoir on the south; New Salem and Quabbin Reservoir on the west; and Athol on the northwest. Petersham is 24 miles southwest of Fitchburg, 69 miles west of Boston.