Saturday’s hike took us to Plainfield to see and learn about the mills along River Road.  We only saw just a portion of the history here as the snow was deep.  A magnificently preserved section of Plainfield, loved it!

The Plainfield mill site contains remnants of three mill foundations that date from the early 19th century through the first decade of the 20th century.  The three mills show the progression in waterpower technology that reflects the industrial changes that occurred nationwide at the time. They vary in size and complexity, and their different wheel configurations portray changing production practices and waterpower design. Water delivery systems to the mill appear to have changed over time, perhaps reflecting the shifting water regimes that accompanied the re-forestation and farm abandonment trends that swept the 19th and 20th century Massachusetts landscape.

There is much to be learned from the physical remains of the former industry and habitation found in our hills: old stonewalls foundations, wells, mills, and kilns create a snapshot of what the landscape might have looked like at some point in the past. Courtesy Plainfield Historical Society.

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