Palmer, Massachusetts, was  first settled by John King, who built a home on the Quaboag River in 1716. The town was incorporated until 1775. During the 19th century it was the home of several large textile mills which shipped their goods on the newly established railroads. Between 1830 and 1850, the population of Palmer more than tripled. Agricultural Fairs like the one pictured here were popular in New England throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. They were used to promote agricultural education and also provided people with a place to show prize animals and crops, or demonstrate their skills in domestic arts such as preserving food and sewing.