Heritage Walks

It is easy to imagine that history and heritage always happened somewhere else. But one needs only to Housatonic Heritage Walks to realize how rich this region is in its historical, cultural and geographic significance.

The walks this year run on Saturdays and Sundays from September 2nd through October 1st and will offer tours of historic buildings and town centers, hikes on the Appalachian and other trails, walks through industrial heritage sites, a canoe-paddling trip on the Housatonic River, bike rides on old country roads rich with history, behind-the-scenes tours at performing arts venues and strolls through formal gardens and estates. All walks are free and are conducted by local historians, naturalists, and environmentalists.

As a tiny sample of the opportunities available, consider joining in an hour-long tour of the Beckley Furnace (built 1847) in Canaan, CT to learn about the historic iron industry; visit the first cluster of stone arch railway bridges built in America in Chester MA; stroll through historic downtown Great Barrington to discover the intriguing histories of the town’s former and current inhabitants; trace the route of the early settlers of Township No. 1 from their homes to the first meeting house in Monterey, MA; enjoy a family-friendly walk in the woods on the Warren, CT, Land Trust’s new Cunningham Nature Preserve; or walk along Main Street in Stockbridge to learn about the Mohicans who lived there for 50 years.

Farther south, in Washington CT join the Institute for American Indian Studies staff for a guided walk along the museum’s trails to learn about scientific and Indigenous understandings of local animal and plant life.

Altogether there are 82 events to choose from over the course of 10 days.