Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

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Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Exists To Illuminate The Diverse, Rich Identity Of The Upper Housatonic River Valley Region.

09/01/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Sunday - September 6, 2026 - #9 – Washington, MA 9 AM to 11 AM

HEADWATERS TRAIL HIKE AT THE COLES BROOK PRESERVE

Join Rene Wendell, from The Nature Conservancy, on a hike at our newest trail, the Headwaters Trail, which is within The Nature Conservancy’s 1,600-acre Coles Brook Preserve. This forested area protects much of the watershed of Coles Brook, which is a tributary of the Westfield River. The hike will take visitors through a mixed northern hardwood–hemlock-white pine forest. 2 hours–1 mile

To register, email- [email protected] or phone- 413.429.5025

Meet at the trailhead at 441 Cross Place Road in Washington, MA. From North Becket Village (Becket Arts Center), drive north on Route 8 (So. Washington State Road), then just before the Washington Town Park, turn right onto Lower Valley Road, which then continues straight on to Cross Place Road. OR, from Pittsfield, driving south on Route 8, drive through Hinsdale into Washington. Drive past the Washington Town Park, then shortly after, take a left onto Lower Valley Road, which then continues straight on to Cross Place Road.

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

09/01/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - September 5, 2026 - #8 – Richmond, MA 2 PM to 4 PM

TOUR THE NORTHEAST SCHOOLHOUSE AND PART OF THE NORTHEAST DISTRICT

Join Gloria Morse and Bill Edwards, from the Richmond Historical Commission , for an interior view of the historic one room Northeast Schoolhouse, 1791-1937. This is Richmond’s last remaining one room schoolhouse not converted into a home. See the classroom interior, and photo display of Richmond from the 1930’s. Outside, view part of the Northeast District, what remains of the Branch Tavern, and the Cyprian Branch and Linius Hall store and funeral parlor. 2 hours–minimal walking

To register, email- [email protected]

Meet at 981 Summit Road which is at the corner of Summit and Swamp Roads. Parking is behind the school, off Osceola Ext. Road. From Richmond – take Rt. 41 to Summit Road. OR From Pittsfield, take Barker Road/ Swamp Rd., just past Bartlett’s Orchard. OR From West Stockbridge, take Swamp Road north to Summit Road.

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

09/01/2026

One more free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - September 5, 2026 - #7 – Pittsfield, MA 11 AM to 12:30 PM

A WALK AROUND PITTSFIELD’S HISTORIC BUILDINGS

There are 57 plaques embedded in the sidewalks in front of the city’s historic buildings. Join John Dickson from the County Historical Society / Herman Melville's Arrowhead for a walk up and down Pittsfield’s North and South Streets to learn about the city’s history. 1.5 hours–1.5 miles

Meet at the front of the Pittsfield Athenium public library at the corner of East St. and Wendell Ave., just east of Park Square.

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

08/31/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - September 5, 2026 - #6 – Stockbridge, MA 10 AM to 11:30 AM

THE HISTORY OF INDIAN TOWN – STOCKBRIDGE

Indian Town was chartered in 1737 as a mission to the Mohican tribe to teach them English, about Christianity and about English agricultural practices.

Recently, the Stockbridge-Munsee community in Wisconsin worked with Housatonic Heritage and other local partners to create a tour of the most important Mohican sites along the main street of Stockbridge. OLLI members will lead participants along Main Street to learn about the Mohicans, who lived in what is now Stockbridge for thousands of years, and aspects of their culture which are still present today. Stops include the Carriage Barn at the Mission House, the burial grounds and the site of the 2021 archeological dig for the Mohican meeting house. 1.5 hours–1.5 miles

Register with OLLI at https://berkshireolli.org/event-6763181 or email- [email protected]

As you enter Stockbridge from the east, park in back of the Stockbridge Town Offices building on Rt 102 (50 Main St.), OR if driving from the south on Rt 7, take a right turn at the major intersection with Rt 102 with the Red Lion Inn on the right, and drive a few minutes to the Stockbridge Town Offices building. Park in back and meet in front of the.

For more information about the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, click here: https://www.nativeamericantrail.org/stockbridge-walking-tour/

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

08/31/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - September 5, 2026 - #5 – Sharon, CT 10 AM to 12 NOO N

EXPLORE THE SECLUDED SHARON MOUNTAIN PRESERVE

Join the Sharon Land Trust staff for an easy walk on this beautiful preserve. This gentle, off-the-beaten-track trail loops around a lush bog teeming with flora and fauna via a 120-foot long wooden boardwalk. Nestled between two ridges, the trail winds over rambling streams, through hardwood forest stands, rocky hills covered in mountain laurel, and old charcoal pits and stone walls–remnants of a rich agricultural history. 2 hours–2 miles

To Register by email – [email protected] or via this link–https://forms.gle/HWbGZ61AtqR27JWk9

Meet at 189 East St, in Sharon. If driving North on Rt 4, turn onto East St and follow the road until you see the parking area on the left. OR if driving south on Rt 4 from town, turn left onto Jackson Hill Rd, then turn right onto Sharon Mountain Rd. Follow Sharon Mountain Rd until it turns into East St on the right. Continue down East St. The parking area is on the right.

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

08/31/2026

Another free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - September 5, 2026 - #4 – East Canaan, CT Anytime from 10 AM to 2 P M

1 HOUR TOURS OF THE BECKLEY BLAST FURNACE–CT’S DEDICATED IRON INDUSTRIAL MONUMENT

Learn about the historic iron industry of the Upper Housatonic Valley, by the Friends of Beckley Furnace. Built in 1847, the Beckley Furnace produced high quality iron until 1918, and it is one of the last surviving examples of the 19th and early 20th century blast furnaces that were once commonplace sights in Connecticut, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There once were 21 furnaces in northwestern CT, as rich veins of iron ore were discovered in the hills near the town of Salisbury. During the American Revolution, CT-forged iron helped fuel the manufacture of American weaponry, most notably the cannons used by the Continental Army, Union weapons for the Civil War, and railroad car wheels. Tour begins when you arrive. 1 hour long tours–0.4 mile

140 Lower Road, East Canaan, just off US Rts 44 & 7.

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

08/26/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - September 5, 2026 - #3 – Pittsfield, MA 10 AM to 11:30 AM

SHAKER INDUSTRY–A WALK THROUGH TIME

Explore the Shakers’ engagement with technology. We will walk to the Shaker reservoir and the North Family site (to see the foundations of dams and mills) and enjoy a demonstration of the Village’s restored water turbine.

NOTE: This walk does not include general admission to the Hancock Shaker Village, which can be purchased after the free Heritage Walk. Wear sturdy footwear. 1.5 hours–2 miles

To register, visit- hancockshakervillage.org/calendar (look for the event date and complete the form)

Meet at the Hancock Shaker Village Visitor Center/ticket desk, main entrance, on Rt 20 (34 Lebanon Mt. Road), Pittsfield/Hancock. From the junction of Rt 41 & Rt 20 junction drive west on Rt 20 for 1/2 mile to the HSV entrance.

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

08/26/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - September 5, 2026 - #2 – New Marlborough, MA 10 AM to 12 NOON

HIKE AROUND THE BERKSHIRE NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY

The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery supports the restoration of lake trout populations in the Lower Great Lakes by supplying lake trout eggs to other federal hatcheries and rearing native brook trout for stocking in local waterways to support recreational fishing and education programs.

Our walk will take us on a journey around a unique geological feature, the Kettle Loop Trail, before heading up the Pinnacle Loop Trail, which includes a 500-foot elevation climb. Along the way, we’ll pass a historic Monterey-New Marlborough town pillar, placed in 1913, and an old charcoal pit. Then, reaching the Pinnacle summit, where you’ll enjoy fantastic views! 2 hours–3 miles

Registration requested, but not mandatory. To register– [email protected] or call (413) 591-9295. https://hatcheryfriends.org

Meet at 240 Hatchery Road, New Marlborough. From the north in Monterey, take Rt 23 and just east of Lake Buel, take River Road to the Hatchery. If coming from the south, New Marlborough, take Rt 57/Rt 183 (Hartsville-New Marlborough Road) to the center of Hartsville, and turn right onto Hatchery Road.

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

08/25/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - September 5, 2026 - #1 – Gt. Barrington, MA 9 AM to 11:30 AM

GREAT BARRINGTON’S ARCHITECTURE & HISTORY – THE STORY OF GREAT BUILDINGS IN A GREAT TOWN

This walking tour with Nicholas Greene, from Clark, Green & BEK, will lead participants on a stroll through historic downtown Great Barrington as they discover the rich history of the town’s former and current inhabitants, their lives and the beautiful building architecture they called home. 2.5 hours–1 mile

Registration is required, due to limit on # of participants. Email – [email protected] (indicate “GB Architecture Tour & Date” in the subject line). Sign up closes for the tour at 8 PM the night before the Walk.

Meet at the engraved stone monument at the corner of Main and Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA.

Housatonic Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 5 & 6 - September 12 & 13 - September 19 & 20 - September 25, 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4, 2026.

Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/

08/04/2026

The Bidwell House Museum is hosting their final history talk of the season at the Monterey Meeting House and via Zoom on Saturday August 15 at 1 pm.

We'll learn about the amazing, unsung heroes of the Revolutionary War.

Michael Rafferty, a life-long learner about the American Revolution with deep experience as a visitor’s guide at Boston’s key sites, has taken a new interest in the contributions of Native American tribes to the fight for independence throughout New England, including the Mohegans of the Connecticut Valley and the Mohicans of Stockbridge.

https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/the-unknown-heroes-of-bunker-hill/

One of those Mohegans was Samuel Ashbow, the first Native American to die in the Revolution. Ashbow and a dozen of his fellow tribesmen held off the first two waves of British infantrymen attacking the patriots at Bunker Hill, though his name was largely forgotten until recently. Michael Rafferty wants to share his story and make sure that Samuel Ashbow’s legacy will become part of the story of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

This lecture will be held at the Monterey Meeting House, 449 Main Rd, Monterey and via Zoom. Zoom tickets need to be purchased in advance but in-person tickets can be purchased either in advance or at the door.

A Zoom link will be sent 2-3 days in advance of the presentation.

For in-person attendees, there is limited parking on the street in front of the Meeting House and additional parking behind Monterey Town Hall, a 2 minute walk down the road.

Above image is by Howard Pyle and is in the Public Domain

Address

24 Main Street/PO Box 493
Salisbury, CT
06068

Telephone

(860) 435-9505

Website

http://www.housatonicheritage.org/

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