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List of municipal poets laureate in Massachusetts

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This is a list of past and current municipal poets laureate serving towns, counties, and cities in Massachusetts. The Poet Laureate for the Commonwealth is Regie Gibson (2025–)[1]

Amesbury

[edit]
  • Lainie Senechal – 2016–2017[2]
  • Stephen R Wagner – 2018–2019[2]
  • Ellie O'Leary – 2020–2023[2]
  • Lisa Usani Phillips – 2024–2025[3]
  • Brian Riley –2026–[4]

Andover

[edit]
  • Linda Flaherty Haltmaier – 2017–2022[5][6]

Arlington

[edit]
  • Miriam Levine – 2015–2017[7]
  • Cathie DesJardins – 2017–2019[8]
  • Steven Ratiner – 2019–2021[9]
  • Jean Flanagan – 2023–2026[10]
  • Teresa Cader –2026–[11]

Attleboro

[edit]
  • Briana Serradas – 2022–2023 [3][12]

Boston

[edit]

Brockton

[edit]
  • Philip Hasouris – 2020–2025 [17]
  • Hannah Baptiste (Youth Poet Laureate) – 2020–2025[17]
  • Pauline Anderson – 2025–2027[18]
  • Adriana D'Haiti (Youth Poet Laureate) – 2025–2027[18]

Brookline

[edit]
  • Judith Steinbergh – 2012–2015[19]
  • Jan Schreiber – 2015–2017[19]
  • Zvi A. Sesling – 2017–2020[19]
  • Jennifer Barber– 2021–2025[19]
  • Allison Adair– 2025–[19]

Cambridge

[edit]

From 2007-2015 Cambridge has a "Poet Populist" chosen by municipal election and arrange through the Cambridge Arts Council and public library. Beginning in 2016, the Cambridge Arts Council began naming "Poetry Ambassadors" for the city through a public nomination and selection process.[20]

  • Peter Payack (Poet Populist) – 2007–2009[21]
  • Jean-Dany Joachim (Poet Populist) – 2009–2011[22]
  • Toni Bee (Poet Populist) – 2011–2013[23]
  • Lo Galluccio (Poet Populist) – 2013–2015[24]

Easthampton

[edit]
  • Gary Metras – 2018–2019 [25]
  • María José Giménez – 2019–2021 [25]
  • Jason R. Montgomery (concurrent with Alex Woolner) – 2021–2023 [25]
  • Alex Woolner (concurrent with Jason R. Montgomery) – 2021–2023 [25]
  • Carolyn A. Cushing – 2023–2025 [25]
  • Carolyn Zaikowski – 2025–2027 [26]

Falmouth

[edit]

Gloucester

[edit]
  • Vincent Ferrini – 1998–2007[30]
  • John J. Ronan – 2008–2010[30]
  • Ruthanne Collinson – 2010–2014[30]
  • Peter Albert Todd – 2014–2015[30]
  • Heidi Wakeman (co-laureate) – 2025–[30]
  • Jay Featherstone (co-laureate) – 2025–[30]

Haverhill

[edit]
  • Dan Speers – 2022– [31]

Lynn

[edit]
  • Michelle "LaPoetica" Richardson – 2025–2027[32]

Malden

[edit]
  • CD Collins – 2023–2026[33]

Martha's Vineyard

[edit]
  • Lee H. McCormack - 2012-2014[34]
  • Arnie Reisman - 2014-2016[35]
  • Justen Ahren – 2017–2019[36]
  • Jill Jupen – 2019–2024[37]
  • Claudia Taylor – 2024–2026[38]

Medford

[edit]
  • Terry E. Carter – 2021-2023[39]
  • Vijaya Sundaram – 2023–2025 [39]
  • Max Heinegg – 2025–2027[39]

Needham

[edit]
  • Anne E.G. Nydam – 2024–[40]

New Bedford

[edit]
  • Everett Hoagland – 1994-1998[41]
  • John Landry – 2007–2010[42]
  • Patricia Gomes – 2014–2021[43]
  • Sarah Mulvey – 2022– [44]

Newton

[edit]

In 2026, Newton began the process to select the first municipal Poet Laureate, with an anticipated appointment in December, 2026 for three-year term beginning to begin January, 2027.[45]

North Andover

[edit]
  • Michael Souza – 2006–2008[46]
  • Gayle Heney – 2008–2012[47]
  • Karen Kline – 2012–2016[48]
  • Ken Delano (co-laureate) – 2016–2018[49]
  • Nadine Delano (co-laureate) – 2016–2018[50]
  • Mark Bohrer – 2018–2023[51]
  • Jason O'Toole – 2023–2025[52]
  • Christa A. Lamb – 2025–2029[53]

North Attleborough

[edit]
  • Kayla Roy – 2025–[54]

Northampton

[edit]

Plymouth

[edit]
  • Stephan Delbos – 2020–2023 [56]
  • Miriam O'Neal – 2024–[57]

Rockport

[edit]
  • Sharon Chace – 2017–2022 [58]
  • Robert Whelan – 2022–[59]

Salem

[edit]
  • J.D. Scrimgeour – 2025–2026[60]
  • Liana Galvan (Youth Poet Laureate) – 2025–[61]

Somerville

[edit]

Springfield

[edit]

Swampscott

[edit]
  • Nancy Hewitt – [66]
  • Stephen Iannaconne – [67]
  • Lee Eric Freedman – [68]
  • Shelli Jankowski-Smith – 2018–2020[69]
  • Harper Merritt (Youth Poet Laureate – 2018–2019[69]

West Tisbury

[edit]
  • Dan Waters – 2006–2009[70]
  • Fan Ogilvie – 2009–2012[70]
  • Justen Ahren – 2012–2015[70]
  • Emma Young – 2015–2018[70]
  • Spencer Thurlow – 2018–2022[70]
  • Tain Leonard-Peck – 2022–2025[70]
  • Adriana Stimola – 2025– [70]

Westwood

[edit]
  • Lynne Viti – 2023–2025[71]
  • Elizabeth Lowney (Youth Poet Laureate) – 2024–2025[72]
  • Beth Swinning – 2025–2027[73]
  • Charles Goodman(Youth Poet Laureate) – 2025–2026[74]
  • Liyann Alrayashi (Youth Poet Laureate) – 2026–2027[75]

Worcester

[edit]
  • Gertrude Halstead – 2007[76]–2012[77]
  • Amina Mohammed (Youth Poet Laureate)– 2020–2021[78]
  • Juan Matos – 2020–2022[78]
  • Adael "Ace" Mejia (Youth Poet Laureate)– 2022–2023[78]
  • Oliver de la Paz – 2023–2025[78]
  • Serenity Jackson (Youth Poet Laureate)– 2024–2025[78]
  • Nicole Jean Turner – 2026–2028[78]
  • Samara Tang-Rainwater (Youth Poet Laureate)– 2026–2027[78]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Poet Laureate Regie Gibson". Mass.gov. Archived from the original on 2026-01-24. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  2. 1 2 3 Sullivan, Jim (2020-01-03). "Ellie O'Leary is Amesbury's third poet laureate". The Daily News of Newburyport. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  3. 1 2 "Massachusetts". Academy of American Poets. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  4. ↑ "Poet Laureate Program". Amesbury Cultural Council. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  5. ↑ Townsman, Jaden Boudle (2017-01-19). "'Taking poetry to the streets'". The Andover Townsman. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  6. ↑ Townsman, Jaden Boudle (2017-01-22). "Taking poetry to the streets; Andover's first poet laureate seeks to make verse part of daily life". Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  7. ↑ "Minutes of Arlington Poet Laureate Committee Meeting". Town Of Arlington, MA Website. 2015-07-02. Retrieved 2021-04-02. We chose Miriam Levine to be the first Poet Laureate of Arlington.
  8. ↑ "Getting To Know Cathie Desjardins And Her New Book, Buddha In The Garden — Mass Poetry". Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  9. ↑ "Meet Steven Ratiner, Arlingtons's Poet Laureate — Mass Poetry". Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  10. ↑ "Arts Arlington Arlington Selects New Poet Laureate". Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  11. ↑ "ArlingtonMa.Gov".{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ Rhilinger, Amy. "Attleboro's First Poet Laureate | Attleboro Public Library". Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  13. ↑ "Passing the time with Boston Poet Laureate Sam Cornish". The Somerville Times. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "City of Boston Poet Laureate | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  15. ↑ Glatter, Hayley (2018-06-27). "I Love My Job: Boston Poet Laureate Danielle Legros Georges". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Boston Youth Poet Laureate | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  17. 1 2 "Past Poet Laureates | Brockton Public Library, MA". www.brocktonpubliclibrary.org. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  18. 1 2 "Poet Laureates | Brockton Public Library, MA". www.brocktonpubliclibrary.org. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Poet Laureate". Brookline Commission for the Arts. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  20. ↑ "Programs - Cambridge Arts - City of Cambridge, Massachusetts". www.cambridgema.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  21. ↑ "City Populist Spreads Love of Poetry | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  22. ↑ "Popular Poet populist: Jean-Dany Joachim". The Somerville Times. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  23. ↑ "From the Bloc 11 Cafe: Interview with poet Toni Bee". The Somerville Times. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  24. ↑ "Lo Galluccio is Cambridge's Poet Populist". Boston.com. 2013-05-18. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 Pfarrer, Steve (9 April 2023). "Easthampton names Carolyn Cushing new poet laureate". Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  26. ↑ https://www.gazettenet.com/Easthampton-Poet-Laureate-April-26-60798949
  27. ↑ Murphy, Sarah. "ADELAIDE CUMMINGS: Poet Laureate of Falmouth turns 100". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  28. ↑ ATTEBERRY, EMILY. "Falmouth taps 50-year resident as its poet laureate". Cape Cod Times. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  29. ↑ "Adelaide A. Cummings". CapeNews.net. 2020-02-21. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Gloucester Poet Laureate | Celebrating Local & Historic Poetry". Gloucester Poet Laureate. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  31. ↑ "City of Haverhill Names Civic Leader, Author, Inventor and Poet Dan Speers as Poet Laureate".
  32. ↑ Piana, Elizabeth Della (2025-04-23). "Another first for Lynn: A Poet Laureate". Itemlive. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  33. ↑ Cao, Michael (2022-11-08). "CD Collins aims to "move mountains" with spoken word". Neighborhood View. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
  34. ↑ Times, The Martha's Vineyard (15 April 2020). "Former Martha's Vineyard Poet Laureate Lee H. McCormack has died". Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  35. ↑ Shea, Jack (1 October 2014). "Arnie Reisman dubbed Poet Laureate of Martha's Vineyard". Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Reception for new poet laureate, Jill Jupen". The Martha's Vineyard Times. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  37. ↑ Dowd, Brian (2019-03-12). "Jill Jupen named poet laureate of Martha's Vineyard". The Martha's Vineyard Times. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  38. ↑ "Vineyard Poet Laureate Selected". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  39. 1 2 3 "Poet Laureate - City of Medford". www.medfordma.org. 2023-07-26. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  40. ↑ "Needham Poet Laureate Program – Needham Free Public Library". Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  41. ↑ "Everett Hoagland - UUA.org". Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  42. ↑ "John Landry: New Bedford's newest poet laureate". Claire T. Carney Library news. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  43. ↑ Silvia, Michael (28 April 2014). "Patricia Gomes Named New Bedford Poet Laureate". New Bedford Guide. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  44. ↑ Chitwood, Seth (26 July 2022). "New Bedford's poet laureate — one of only 6 in MA — is reshaping how people think of poetry". SoutchCoast Today. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  45. ↑ "Newton Poet Laureate". City of Newton Website. 2026-08-23. Retrieved 2026-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  46. ↑ Applegate, Sally. "Town names poet laureate". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  47. ↑ Applegate, Sally. "Gayle Heney named town Poet Laureate". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  48. ↑ McCarthy, Tim. "Kline named poet laureate". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  49. ↑ ptennant@eagletribune.com, Paul Tennant (2016-09-29). "New poets laureate begin term with dramatic flair". Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  50. ↑ ptennant@eagletribune.com, Paul Tennant (2016-09-29). "New poets laureate begin term with dramatic flair". Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  51. ↑ "Poet Laureate Committee | North Andover, MA". www.northandoverma.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-23. – Note that this source is to multiple agendas and minutes of Poet Laureate Committee. See Agenda August, 2018 for reference.
  52. ↑ msager@eagletribune.com, Monica Sager | (2023-09-14). "North Andover's new poet laureate". Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  53. ↑ "Poet Laureate Committee | North Andover, MA". www.northandoverma.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  54. ↑ "Kayla Roy Appointed as Town's First Poet Laureate". www.northattleborough.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  55. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Poet Laureate | Celebrate Poetry Today — Join the Movement". Northampton Arts Council. Retrieved 2026-08-22.
  56. ↑ "Stephan Delbos, first Poet Laureate in Plymouth, Massachusetts". Made in Plymouth. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  57. ↑ Laureates, America's Hometown. "America's Hometown Laureates". America's Hometown Laureates. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  58. ↑ "Sharon Chace's poetry". Gloucester Daily Times. 2017-11-17. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  59. ↑ Hagan, Stephen (2024-04-18). "Rockport author pens book on children's poems". Gloucester Daily Times. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  60. ↑ "Poet Laureate | Salem, MA". www.salemma.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  61. ↑ "Youth Poet Laureate | Salem, MA". www.salemma.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  62. ↑ "Nicole Terez Dutton 2015 & 16". somervilleartscouncil.org. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  63. ↑ "Gloria Mindock 2017 & 18". somervilleartscouncil.org. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  64. ↑ "Lloyd Schwartz". Poets & Writers. 1981-05-28. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  65. 1 2 "Meet Magdalena Gómez, Springfield's Poet Laureate — Mass Poetry". Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  66. ↑ Reines, Mary. "A night of Swampscott poetry". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  67. ↑ "Poet Laureate: A pleasant surprise". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  68. ↑ Sackett, Shelley A. (2023-02-02). "Swampscott's former Poet Laureate is always ready for inspiration". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  69. 1 2 Cawley, Gayla (2018-05-02). "Swampscott names 2 new poets laureate". Itemlive. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  70. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "West Tisbury Poet Laureate | West Tisbury Public Library". Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  71. ↑ "Westwood Poet Laureate | Town of Westwood, MA". www.townhall.westwood.ma.us. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  72. ↑ "Poet Laureate – Westwood Public Library". Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  73. ↑ "Poet Laureate – Westwood Public Library". Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  74. ↑ "Charles Goodman Named Westwood's Youth Poet Laureate for 2025–2026 | Westwood Minute". westwoodminute.town.news. 2025-06-16. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  75. ↑ "Liyann Alrayashi Named New Westwood Youth Poet Laureate | Westwood Minute". westwoodminute.town.news. 2026-07-05. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  76. ↑ STAFF, Lisa D. Welsh TELEGRAM & GAZETTE. "City honors its poet laureate". The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 2026-09-14.
  77. ↑ "Gertrude Halstead". worcestercountypoetry.org. Retrieved 2026-09-14.
  78. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Worcester Poet Laureate & Youth Poet Laureate Programs | City of Worcester". www.worcesterma.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
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