Rumford was settled during the 1780s and 1790s by people coming from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. These settlers called this small plantation as New Pennacook.By late 1790s there were enough settlers to make New Pennacook a town. On February 21, 1800 the original charter was signed, making Rumford the 123rd town in the District of Maine.
There are different views suggesting how this small plantation of New Pennacook was named as Rumford by the legislature in Massachusetts, since the settlers had voted for the town to be named as China. Some people believe that this town was named after Rumford, a town in New Hampshire from where the first settlers came to the present day Rumford, Maine. Others  believe that this Oxford county town  was named after Sir Benjamin Thompson, a renowned scientists and soldier who was also known as Count Rumford. 

Rumford remained as a farming and lumbering community until Hugh Chisholm established a paper mill by mid-1890s. After the establishment of Rumford Falls Paper Company Rumford's population grew from 200 people to about 3,600 people within a very short time. This quick population growth in Rumford made severe housing shortages for incoming mill workers. This housing problem was settled after the creation of a housing complex, known as Strathglass Park. 

Rumford is also the birthplace of Edmund S. Muskie who was the Governor of Maine from 1955 to 1959,  a U.S. Senator from 1959 to 1980 and also the Secretary of State in 1980-1981. The town of Rumford is celebrating its 200 years of proud history by organizing various activities and events throughout the year 2000. The bicentennial events started from  New Year's Eve, December 31, 1999, and will continue until Christmas in December 2000. 

Edmund S. Muskie 

Edmund S. Muskie was born in Rumford in 1914.  He grew on to become a two time Governor of the State of Maine, a three term United States Senator, a stalwart champion and leader of the passage of national anti-pollution legislation. He also became United States Secretary of States under Jimmy Carter's administration in 1980-1981, a Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States in 1968, and a candidate for the Presidency in the Democratic primary elections in 1972. 

Edmund Muskie graduated from Stephens Memorial High School as Valedictorian in 1932. 
He went on to attend Bates College and Cornell Law School. He practiced law in Waterville, Maine for a while. He entered Maine Legislation in 1946. All through his service in legislation he fought for anti-pollution bills and clean water campaigns. His support and fight for the environment has empowered some of the nations most aggressive environmental controls.