Chester Historic Factory Village Tour: Housatonic Heritage Special Event
September 17, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
#hikethehilltowns with us!
September 17th, 2023
Chester Historic Factory Village Tour 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
A Housatonic Heritage Special Event
Parking and start of tour at the Chester Railway Station Museum, 10 Prospect Street, Chester, MA 01011. From Lee: Route 20 to Main Street, Chester, take right onto Prospect, take left after underpass.
We will start at the Chester Railway Museum. Hike Rating: Easy Approx. 2 mile loop
Join the Hilltown Hikers for a narrated tour by Dave Pierce (Chester Railway Museum) and John Garvey (Chester Historical) of the history of Chester Village. Established in 1783, we will visit the historic buildings of early industry and railroad history including; the Chester Granite Company, Pratt Truss Bridge, Irish Dormitory, Jail, Feed Store, White’s Hotel (1850), Bevan’s Drugstore, Pease Dry Goods Store, The Chester Becket Railroad Trail including trestle, High School/Grammar School and more. The Railway Museum and Historical Society will be open after the walk.
Please Register per carload on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Hike is free and volunteer lead; suggested donation is $5.00. Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs are allowed (not in buildings please). Please bring hiking poles and a snack. We hike rain or shine. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com. Be prepared for road walking and woods.
Heritage Areas around the U.S. have distinctive histories, geographies, natural resources and fascinating stories to tell. Ours is one: comprising nine towns in Northwest CT and 20 in Berkshire County, MA. There are 49 Heritage Areas in the U.S. U.S. Congress has designated these areas, which are funded through the National Park Service. Find out more About Housatonic Heritage here.
WE ARE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE 2023 HOUSATONIC HERITAGE WALKS!
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.
We’re extremely grateful for our ‘HERITAGE WALKS’ sponsors!
And our Media Sponsor:
NEW! Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com For more hike information email: westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, YouTube, TikTok Pinterest and Twitter. Search our hashtags #westernmasshilltownhikers #hilltownhikers and #hikethehilltowns Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249.
Tees, hoodies, hats, window stickers, patches and photos will be for sale at the hike, the complete free catalog of printed hiking maps will be there too. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com
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Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249