In 1819, inventor Thomas Blanchard invented the lathe in Springfield, which would catalyze manufacturing developments now known the world over as interchangeable parts and the assembly line. As the frontier moved north, Deerfield became another colonial town with an unquiet early history. Pioneer Valley Tourism begins to return to normal. Indeed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 census statistics, Springfield was ranked one of the Top 10 gay cities in the United States. In the warmer months, our unique access to the Connecticut River creates the opportunity for a variety of water-based recreational . See all Pita Pockets - Amherst reviews, "I had always thought Chez Albert was #1 or #2 in the Valley." See all Homestead reviews, "For dinner I had the pistachio encrusted salmon, which used to be on the menu at the Apollo Grill, and it is fabulous!" Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center, Dr Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In Springfield, in response to the Fugitive Slave Act, John Brown founded his first militant anti-slavery organization, The League of Gileadites. In retaliation, at dawn on May 19, 1676, Captain William Turner led an army of settlers in a surprise attack on Peskeompskut, in present-day Montague, then a traditional native gathering place. Recently, there has been a notable grassroots effort to reclaim Springfield's once easily accessible and pedestrian-friendly waterfront, which is now separated from the city by the eight-lane, elevated highway Interstate 91. After warnings from the Natives about the Connecticut River's west side being prone to flooding,[21] most Springfield settlers moved to the east side of the river, which was slightly less advantageous for farming because of its prominent bluffs and hills. on your favorite social media channel. Forest Park (Springfield) designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (of NYC's Central Park fame) is one of the largest urban parks in the United States at 735 acres (297ha). Native American history in the Pioneer Valley stretches back thousands of years; its recorded history begins in 1635, when Roxbury magistrate William Pynchon commissioned land scouts John Cable and John Woodcock to look for the Connecticut River Valley's best site for both conducting trade and farming. Settlement was the result of a court case in which the government in Boston agreed to return some of the land of the town of Dedham to Native American control, and allowed some of Dedham's residents to acquire land in the new township of Pocumtuck. [43], Of national importance, Springfield featured the United States' first witch trial in 1646decades before the Salem Witch Trials; and a few years later in 1650, a Springfielder wrote the New World's first banned book, The Meritorious Price of Our Redemption by William Pynchon. Ready. Manufacturing remains a part of the Pioneer Valley's economy (e.g. At that time, on the western bank of the Connecticut River, the explorers found the Pocomtuc (or perhaps Nipmuck) Indian village of Agawam. Massachusetts $110million high-tech data centeran adaptive re-use of the city's original Technical High Schoolwill also be completed in 2012. Pop into a unique gift shop, gallery, or vintage store for rare finds and artisan treasures. Native American artifacts found in the area have been dated as originating between 7,000 and 9,000 years BC. The uber-cool burg of Northampton provides the region's top dining, nightlife and street scenes, while the other destinations offer unique museums, geological marvels and a few unexpected roadside gems. The Hallmark Institute of Photography is located in Turners Falls. In this Hampden County, tourism is very popular. Similarly, the Basketball Hall of Fame, a shrine to the world's 2nd most popular sport, invented in Springfield, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. In 1636, Pynchon led a settlement expedition with a larger group, including Henry Smith (Pynchon's son-in-law), Jehu Burr, William Blake, Matthew Mitchell, Edmund Wood, Thomas Ufford, and John Cable. Take a Road Trip to Western Mass and enjoy our beautiful year-round scenery and one-of-a-kind attractions you wont find anywhere else. According to the 2010 census, the Pioneer Valley features one of the highest per capita lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations in the United States. 10 Shelburne Famous for the Bridge of Flowers and the historic trolley museum. For this, she was sentenced to death, but died in prison in 1651, before receiving her death sentence. Eddie Shore played for and later became the owner of the very successful Springfield Indians franchise; his number 2 remains retired by the Thunderbirds. If nice "more, "Everything was delicious!! The city of Springfield has plenty of activity for families. Also, as of 2011, Russian and Ukrainian immigrants are increasing in Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield, and other communities. The world can always do with a little more peace. Symphony Hall was built in 191113, and its ornamentation is a spectacle in itself. See all India House Restaurant reviews, "The Moan and Dove is one of my favorite places to go for a beer in the Pioneer Valley." While this charming pocket of the state, known as the Pioneer Valley, may be wild turkey country, as well as the approach to Vermont ski country, it's also used-book country. He later to return to England. Things to See and Do in The Pioneer Valley. The 2010 census figures indicate the number of same-sex households per thousand. neither city features a gay ghetto. Pioneer Valley Outdoor Tourism Hub is one of six projects that will share in $9.2m from the state government's Activate Ecotourism Infrastructure initiative. Hampden County is the most highly urbanized county in Western Massachusetts; however, its environs have long been described as rus in urbecities amidst forests. And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. Hampshire County in Western Massachusettsis just one of those pockets on the planet where you can be yourself any side, any shade, any shape. As of 2011, Holyoke continues to see rapid growth in its high-tech sector, featuring new enterprises that capitalize on Holyoke's abundance of green energy, e.g. award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert Exercise your adventurous side with mountain biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more. At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. - Tourism is getting closer to pre-pandemic norms in the Pioneer Valley region, according to President of the Greater Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau Mary Kay Wydra. In the spring of 1640, grain was very scarce; cattle were dying of starvation. Pynchon's settlement, however, agreed with him, and his philosophy, and that same year, voted to separate from the Connecticut Colony and be annexed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Was quite slow so "more, "It is a grocery store for many international grocery items and also a restaurant with outdoor picnic tables." The major playhouse in Springfield is CityStage, which features an eclectic mix of entertainment. The Chicopee River, although only 18.0 miles long, has the largest water basin in Massachusettsand along the Connecticut Riverat 741 square miles. June, Happy First Day of Summer A mu, @place2bect is a spot you dont want to miss in, How Preparing for the IRONMAN 70.3 Has Changed Me, Why is #WesternMass known as the Adventure Capital, Get ready for 24k magic! Northampton (also known to some as "Hamp" and others as "Noho") isalong with Springfieldthe culinary capital of Western Massachusetts as well as a lesbian mecca, featuring the highest number of lesbians per capita according to the United States' 2000 census. They killed 200 natives, mostly women and children. During the holiday season it features a nationally renowned light display called "Bright Nights". [41] Thereafter, the newly unoccupied area - being the eastern terminus of the Mohawk Trail, a principal route for Native American trade traveling west into New York - was colonized by the English in 1686 as part of Deerfield. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Many municipalities in the area also have conservation holdings, usually under the aegis of the community's 'conservation commission', the appointed body which also applies local and state environmental regulations. By 1606, an ongoing struggle between the Mahican and Iroquois confederacies led to direct attacks on the Pocumtuc by the Iroquoian Mohawk nation. South Deerfield has New England Auctions, specializing in rare and antiquarian books. for its scenery and as a vacation destination. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. With Windsor's and Wethersfield's consent, the three southerly settlements commissioned the famed Native American-conqueror Captain John Mason to travel to Springfield with "money in one hand and a sword in the other. 30 Rockwell Road Lanesborough, MA, 01237 Phone: 413-499-4262. See all Smithsonian Chowder House reviews, "Cappuccino and creme brle were the perfect ending to our evening." [19][20] Originally, in 1636, the English settlement was named Agawam Plantation. [43] Interspersed among the five museums is the sculptural Dr. Seuss Memorial garden, which recreates the Springfield author's whimsical characters in bronze. An account of the town's early history was written by local historian George Sheldon and published in the late nineteenth century. Find your local happy place on My Local MA! That's why we're here. The original, main profit-generating industry for Springfield was trade with the Indians for beaver skins, which were then exported around the colonial world. Explore Western Mass is created by locals who love our community and all it has to offer. In 1890, Charlotte Alice Baker returned to Deerfield to restore her family home, the Frary House. In 1651, Mary Parsons was accused of witchcraftspecifically "divers devilish practices by witchcraft, to the hurt of Martha and Rebeckah Moxon," two daughters of Springfield's first ministerand also of murdering her own child. Several places offer zip line and canopy tours. [43], To the extent that cultural contributions comprise invention, innovation, and progress, Springfield has been, historically, one of the nation's most innovative cities. Join. Stockbridge is home to the popular Norman Rockwell Museum, with original Norman Rockwell art and seasonal events. Mr. Tom, the captain, answered any and all of our ques"more, "Wow, what an impressive gem in the city of Hartford. Efforts have been augmented and assisted by local and regional conservation land trusts and statewide and national conservation organizations. Thank you, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the favorite spots for food and beverages in Northampton and surroundings. The Pocumtuc confederacy occupied the Connecticut River Valley, from what is now southern Vermont and New Hampshire into northern Connecticut. Southampton, for example, was incorporated in 1775, and included parts of the territories of modern Montgomery (which was itself incorporated in 1780) and Easthampton.
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