Housatonic Heritage Walks 2022: Five Weekends Full Of Hikes And History
This weekend, Housatonic Heritage kicks off its most-impressive program of free guided interpretive walks in its 20-year history. Need we say more?
Well, yes. For one, the walks are held at the most interesting historic, cultural, industrial, natural and scenic sites in Berkshire County (Massachusetts) and Litchfield County (Connecticut). And they’re as enjoyable as they are educational. They include historic estate gardens, notable town districts, nature and hiking trails, and even industrial-site ruins.
“For anyone living under the strain of contemporary life, the walks are a balm,” says one long-time walk participant. “They show us the importance of our history, and the important geography of the area where we live, work and play. I always come away from any Heritage walk I’ve taken knowing more about the region and feeling better connected to it.”
A hike to discover the history of Kennedy Park, Lenox, MA
Housatonic Heritage, a local nonprofit whose goal is to preserve and celebrate the region’s heritage, organizes the walks with its many local partner organizations. (Housatonic Heritage is designated by the National Park Service to administer the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, which encompasses the 29 towns and cities throughout the hilly terrain of western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut.)
“We work in partnership with groups that include historical societies, cultural sites, walking trails and others,” says Dan Bolognani, executive director of Housatonic Heritage, to help them in their mission to educate the public about the Heritage Area. (The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area was incorporated in 2000 and received federal designation in 2006.)
When Rural Intelligence first covered the walks back in 2013, there were an impressive 60 walks held over two weekends. Housatonic Heritage is pulling out the stops for its 20th anniversary, however, and will feature upwards of 90 walks (some are repeats, of course) over five weekends, beginning September 3 and running through October 2.
“As we’re celebrating 20 years of Heritage Walks, it seems that we’ve created a program that people continue to find engaging and informative,” Bolognani continues. “Offering a more inclusive experience – with walks for all ages, interests and abilities – has been a priority, and we are always seeking new and interesting opportunities with our partner organizations.
“We’ve seen interest in the Heritage Walks steadily increase since our first event in 2001 – and that’s energizing for us. Our goal is to keep increasing the number and variety of Heritage Walk offerings and continue to engage the public with those many people and organizations that steward these important sites.”
Tour the Beckley Blast Furnace and learn about the history of the iron industry in Conecticticut.
Knowledgeable local historians, naturalists and environmentalists conduct the tours at sites as diverse as the ruins of an industrial furnace, or the grounds of an elegant mansion. They include tours of historic buildings and town centers, hikes on the Appalachian Trail and other important trails, walks through industrial heritage sites, a canoe paddling trip on the Housatonic River, bike rides on old country roads, and even behind-the-scenes tours at performing arts venues and strolls through gardens and estates. Participants of all ages are invited.
“Nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and even those with different levels of physical ability can enjoy the walks," Bolognani says. “Some of the walks are hikes, which are pretty strenuous, while others are wheelchair accessible." To that end, some walks aren’t actually walks at all. All “events," which might be a canoe trip, a mountain hike, or a bike ride, are what Bolognani calls, “Gee Whiz Qualified," meaning folks come away impressed, energized, and educated about an aspect of their community they didn’t know much about before.
“We have historians, educators, authors, environmentalists, and other experts as guides for the walks," Bolognani says. These include interpretive visits to significant sites along the African American Heritage Trail, as well as an amble through a Native American village in Washington, Connecticut, to the site of a former Algonkian village and discussion of the Potatuck people. “Among the most recently added Heritage Walk experiences, Bolognani says, “is Hazon/Adamah Farm, which is engaged in sustainable farming practices. Participants will get an inside look at some remarkable methods for producing food while stewarding our precious natural resources.”
And there’s an opportunity now for touring the historic April Hill Education and Conservation Center in South Egremont, home of the innovative Greenagers program. “This property is nicely preserved and serves as a launching point for engaging young people in stewardship projects throughout Berkshire County,” Bolognani says.
Many of the walks require pre-registration For more information, a schedule and description of every walk, visit the website.
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