Local Community and Natural History
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Nature in Our Backyard
North Adams is rich with natural beauty! This week we'll explore our local community and give you some ideas of places to start on your outdoor explorations, right in our own backyards and neighborhoods.
First we'll start with some history of North Adams with this interactive online book. Just click on the book 'Brick by Brick' below to explore our rich history. You'll surely find some inspiration for going on a a scavenger hunt to ride by places you may not have noticed before.
Read an interactive book about North Adams, Massachusetts Brick by Brick History of a New England Town for Students by Deborah Sala on Book Creator. You can flip through the pages and check on more information with links in the book.
Natural Resources
In our seed and planting week, we talked about soil. Here is a great look at the the soil of Western Massachusetts.
Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association
Origins of the Soil of Western Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley Contributed by Howard Reznik, Master Gardener
Explore Nature in North Adams
Below are just a few ideas of local places you can explore.
Visit Explore North Adams for more ideas.
A hidden in-town gem, this trail is minutes away from downtown areas of North Adams and Williamstown and is short enough to walk on a whim for anyone looking to squeeze a nice hike into a limited amount of time.
See more on Explore North Adams, Berkshire Hiking, or All Trails
The mission of the Hoosic River Revival is to reconnect the community to a healthy, scenic, wildlife-and-people-friendly river, which will provide 21st Century flood protection and also enhance North Adams’ recreational, cultural, and economic vitality. https://hoosicriverrevival.org
Enjoy a one mile family walk along the banks of the South Branch of the Hoosic River. Learn about the wildlife that lives along the river using our self-guided brochure you can download here.
The power and beauty of the Hoosic River brought Native Americans, early settlers, and our current residents to North Adams. Learn about the history of the city by strolling along the banks of the river. The walking tour can be done in sections, self-guided. A historic walk brochure can be downloaded here.
Natural Bridge State Park -
Discover a geologic wonder at this 48 acre park. Examine the only naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam in North America, and tour an abandoned marble quarry. The “natural bridge” for which the park is named, according to geologists, is 550 million year old bedrock marble, carved into an arch by the force of glacial melt water over 13,000 years ago; one of the best places in New England to demonstrate the effects of glaciation. The bridge spans rushing Hudson Brook as it twists and tumbles through a steep 60-foot deep gorge. Learn more at Mass.gov or Explore North Adams
Natural Bridge visit video by Back On the Road on YouTube
Take a Walk Downtown
Monument Square of North Adams
Monument Square is located at the head of Main Street in downtown North Adams, Massachusetts. On this site, Monument Square of North Adams, Massachusetts- created by C.A. Chicoine, you will find a brief history of this monument, learn about its sculptor, and its restorer, and see how the town square developed and changed through photographs taken throughout the ages, from its debut in 1878 to the present day.
Share what you find on your local community adventures. Send us your photos or writings and we'll add them to the Shared Space page.
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