Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

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Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

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

10/07/2026

Another excellent, free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: rescheduled to Saturday - October 10, 2026 - #33 – Dalton, MA 10 AM to 12:30 PM

EXPLORE THE FAUNA, FLORA AND CULTURAL HISTORY OF WACONAH FALLS

Led by Naturalist and Tamarack Hollow Director, Aimee Gelinas, this hike will weave through hemlock groves, glacial erratics and along a cascading brook and falls. Participants will learn about the flora (plants, trees, wild edibles), the fauna (signs of wildlife) and the cultural history (talc mill) at this unique state park. Hike is free (donations accepted for Tamarack Hollow Center).

This project has been supported in part by a grant from the Dalton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Offered in conjunction with MA DCR State Parks. 2.5 hours–1.5 miles

Registration is required, email: [email protected] – Visit: https://www.tamarackhollownatureandculturalcenter.org

From the center of Dalton, take Rt 8A north and drive a couple of miles and take a right onto Back Dalton Road and drive 0.5 mile to the Wahconah Falls State Park parking lot. https://www.mass.gov/locations/wahconah-falls-state-park

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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

10/05/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Saturday - October 3, 2026 - #61 – Monterey, MA 1 PM to 3 PM

A WALK THROUGH HISTORY AT THE BIDWELL HOUSE MUSEUM

Rob Hoogs will lead a walk around the 190-acre Bidwell House Museum property, highlighting the many eras of history, including Native Americans, Colonial Settlement, Revolutionary era, changes during the 1800s, charcoaling, farming, and 20th century getaway.

We will then walk 2 miles of old roads and trails, past the site of the first Meeting House, along amazing stone walls, an intriguing stone cairn, barn foundations, the Old Boston-Albany Post Road, several cellar holes, charcoal hearths, and beautiful woodlands. Wear good footwear, bug repellent, and hiking poles if you use them. NOTE: Does not include a tour of the museum interior, which for a fee, can be arranged before/after the free Heritage Walk. 2 hours–2 miles

Registration is Required, as space is limited. To register, email- [email protected] OR on the Bidwell Museum website- https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/

Meet at the Bidwell House Museum. From Monterey center–take Tyringham Rd. for 1.5 miles, and take a left onto Art School Rd. and drive 1 mile to the end; OR From the traffic light at Big Y in Lee–take Tyringham Rd and drive 5.5 miles, take a right onto Monterey Rd and drive for 2.3 miles, then take a right on Art School Rd. and drive 1 mile to the end at the Bidwell House Museum.

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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

09/30/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Sunday - October 4, 2026 - #69 – Lanesborough, MA 5 PM to 6:30 PM

BOREAL FOREST ECOLOGY SLIDESHOW & SUMMIT WALK AT BASCOM LODGE & MT. GREYLOCK SUMMIT

Learn about the ecology and unique fauna and flora of high elevation boreal spruce-fir forests on a short and easy plant/tree ID summit walk at Mount Greylock, Massachusetts’ highest mountain, and a narrated slideshow in Bascom Lodge with naturalist Aimee Gelinas, director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center.

Program is free (donations accepted for Tamarack Hollow Nature Center). This project has been supported by a grant from the William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.”

For information about Bascom Lodge, visit www.bascomlodge.net. 1.25 hours–minimal walking

Registration is Required, email- [email protected]

Meet at Bascom Lodge at the summit of Mount Greylock – the address is 3 Summit Road, Adams. The summit can be reached by taking Rockwell Rd from Lanesborough or Notch Road from North Adams. For more info visit: www.bascomlodge.net and www.mass.gov/locations/mount-greylock-state-reservation

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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

09/30/2026

Enjoy this free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Sunday - October 4, 2026 - #68 – Sheffield, MA 1 PM to 3 PM

THE BARNES LIME KILN OF 1903–A PRESENTATION AND WALKING TOUR

Enjoy this tour offered by the Sheffield Historical Society, of the historic Barnes Lime Kiln. Mike King will lead a short presentation on the history of the kiln, beginning at the Sheffield Historical Society’s Dan Raymond House and culminating in a walk to view the remains of the three kilns. Wear footwear for walking in the woods. 2 hours–0.5 mile

Register by email– [email protected]

Meet at the Dan Raymond house at 159 Main St., for the short talk/presentation. Then, participants will drive 10 mins. away to the Lime Kiln for the tour. Park in the town lot behind the Mobil station and enter the Sheffield Historical Society through the walkway from the parking lot.

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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

09/30/2026

Another great, free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Sunday - October 4, 2026 - #67 – Stockbridge, MA 1 PM to 2:30 PM

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]

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

Park in the Stockbridge town offices parking lot at Rt 102/50 Main St., just east of The Red Lion Inn.

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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

09/29/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Sunday - October 4, 2026 - #66 – Chester/Becket, MA 1 PM to 3 PM

CHESTER AND BECKET RAILROAD – THE GRANITE LINE

Join Liz Massa, from the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers for a walk on flat terrain on a dirt section of the Chester and Becket Railroad. Built in 1896 as a 5.25-mile spur off the Boston & Albany Railroad to deliver granite from the Becket Quarries to the Chester finishing works. Both Chester and Becket issued bond stock in the quarry company to help in building this line because there was money to be made from the “Chester Blue Granite” for monuments and gravestones. The first locomotive to run on this line was a wood burner, eventually upgraded to a coal burning locomotive.

We will see the remains of a wooden trestle still standing on the trail and also learn how this route was used in Chester’s emery and granite industry and how it connects to our Granite Saw Property. Optional further continuation on the railbed to the Boston and Albany Connector. Donations for the newly conserved Chester Granite Company Finishing Works property are greatly appreciated. Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs allowed. Please wear appropriate footwear. 2 hours–2 miles

Pre-register at email—[email protected] or website–https://www.ticketleap.events/events/westernmasshilltownhikers

Meet on Hampden St. in Chester, at the Chester and Becket Trailhead. From the junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester/Becket town line, turn right onto Hampden Street to the trailhead.
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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

09/29/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Sunday - October 4, 2026 - #65 – Lee, MA 11 AM to 12:30 PM

A NATURE WALKING TOUR AT GOLDEN HILL TOWN FOREST

Join naturalist Linda Cysz, from the Lee Land Trust, for a meandering walk through this town forest with huge boulders and colorful fall mushrooms to get a sense of the natural setting and learn some of Lee’s town history. Golden Hill Town Forest’s 70-acre property was once owned by George Westinghouse as part of his estate known as Erskine Park.

His house was in Lenox near Laurel Lake and his farmland extended across the road to the Golden Hill area. In 1939 George Westinghouse, Jr. donated this parcel to the Town of Lee. Here is where you’ll find the highest peaks in Lee at about 1220’ elevation.

The Pinnacle has views to October Mt., Highlawn Farm and Laurel Lake. This is truly an enchanted geologic world. Easy loop trails guide you through the boulders, ledges, outcrops, wildflowers, mushrooms and old trees. In the early 1960’s this was a vibrant picnic spot with pavilion, stone fireplace and even electricity. Today, that area is an open field. 1.5 hours – 1 mile

Heading north on Rt 20 from the center of Lee, after crossing the railroad tracks and the river, drive for 0.8 mile to Golden Hill Road (across from the Retro Pop Shop). Turn right onto Golden Hill Road and drive uphill for 0.3 mile to a parking site on the right side of road, at Lee Town Forest sign.

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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

09/29/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Sunday - October 4, 2026 - #64 – Lenox, MA 10 AM to 11:30 AM and 2 PM to 3:30 PM

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR OF TANGLEWOOD–BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S SUMMER HOME

Enjoy a tour of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer Tanglewood campus, the Koussevitzky Music Shed, Ozawa Hall, and the Linde Center for Music and Learning. Learn of the interesting historic background of Tanglewood, the BSO and the Tanglewood Music Center. 1.5 hours–

09/29/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Sunday - October 4, 2026 - #63 – Stockbridge, MA 10 AM to 12 NOON

SCULPTING THE LAND – DANIEL CHESTER FRENCH’S ARTIST-DESIGNED LANDSCAPE AT CHESTERWOOD HISTORIC SITE

Join Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for this walk with Valerie Balint through the various designed landscapes, including the house environs, formal gardens, and woodland walks at Chesterwood. This was the summer home, studio, and gardens of America’s acclaimed sculptor of public monuments, Daniel Chester French, who created 100+ public sculptures.

See the design features created by French while living here and place his efforts in the greater context of artist-designed landscapes throughout the country. Participants will go into the studio for a short introduction to this building and how both it and the house relate to the landscape. NOTE – this event does not include a formal tour of the studio or house interiors. An inside tour, for a fee, can be arranged for after the free Heritage Walk. 2 hours–2 miles

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, email- [email protected]

From Stockbridge center, drive west on Rt 102, turn left on Rt 183. Drive 1/4 mile past the Norman Rockwell Museum and turn right onto Mohawk Lake Road, then left onto Willow St., which becomes Williamsville Rd., just before reaching Chesterwood. Meet at the Barn Gallery.

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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

09/29/2026

A free, guided Housatonic Heritage Walk: Rescheduled to Sunday - October 4, 2026 - #21 – Savoy/Windsor, MA 10 AM to 12:30 PM

BOREAL SPRUCE-FIR FOREST & WATERFALL HIKE – PLANTS, TREES AND WILD EDIBLES AT THE TAMARACK HOLLOW NATURE & CULTURAL CENTER

Experience early fall in the Boreal Forest! Led by Aimee Gelinas, naturalist and director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center, this hike will feature the unique high elevation flora of the boreal forest, watershed and a waterfall, including tips for tree, plant and wild edible identification and signs of wildlife. Program is free (donations accepted for Tamarack Hollow Center). This walk has been supported in part by a grant from the Windsor Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency”. 2.5 hours–2 miles

Registration is required, email: [email protected] – Visit: http://www.tamarackhollownatureanculturalcenter.org

Meet at Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center, 1515 & 1516 Savoy Hollow Rd, Windsor, MA. Directions can be found at www.tamarackhollow.org on the Donate & Directions page. *Please DO NOT USE a GPS to locate us on Savoy Hollow Road–Only enter Savoy Hollow Road via Griffin Hill Rd off Route 116 in Savoy, MA (you can use a GPS to find Griffin Hill Rd).

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/

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

Address

24 Main Street/PO Box 493
Salisbury, CT
06068

Telephone

(860) 435-9505

Website

http://www.housatonicheritage.org/

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