Part of the 21st Annual Housatonic Heritage Walks series. Housatonic Heritage Walks are FREE, guided interpretive walks to the most interesting historic, cultural, industrial, natural and scenic sites in Berkshire County, MA, & Litchfield County, CT.

A walk on the Bidwell House Museum grounds as well as the BNRC’s Hudson-Howard property, this hike traces the route of the early settlers of Township No. 1 from their homes to the 1st meeting house on a hill near the Museum. Richard Greene will lead the group on the old roadways, past foundations and stone walls of long-ago homesteads, and explore flora and fauna along the way. Terrain is steep and rocky in a few places. NOTE–Does not include a tour of the museum interior, which can be arranged after the free Heritage Walk. Up to 3 hours – 4 miles

To register– bidwellhouse@gmail.com and Museum website, 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. GPS 42.20888, -73.21830  GOOGLE MAP

PLEASE NOTE–FOR ALL HIKES/OUTDOOR WALKS, PLEASE WEAR HIKING BOOTS/STURDY FOOTWEAR, SUGGEST BRINGING DRINK & SNACK, BUG REPELLENT AND BE PREPARED FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER

Explore with knowledgeable & local historians, naturalists, and environmentalists at sites within the Housatonic River Valley: tours of historic buildings and town centers, hikes on the Appalachian Trail and other trails, walks through industrial heritage sites, a canoe paddling trip on the Housatonic River, bike rides on old country roads that have a history, behind-the-scenes tours at performing arts venues, and strolls through formal gardens and estates. All ages & all people are invited to join us!

The HOUSATONIC HERITAGE WALKS are a partnership between the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, the numerous heritage organizations in the Upper Housatonic River Valley, the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, and the National Park Service.