| Centrally located
in the Pioneer Valley (and five college area), Hadley is a
place of natural beauty, rich history, booming business, and
more. For hundreds of years, the town has thrived as a farming
community, and today, despite the rapid growth of businesses,
it remains deeply rooted in that tradition. There are many
sites and attractions in Hadley, some historic and some
recreational, a wide variety of organizations and services,
plus the countless number of local businesses and farm stands
that deliver to Hadley an excellent place to live, work,
relax, and visit.
For further
information on Hadley attractions, lodging, dining, and more,
please visit the following local sites:
-
HadleyGuide.com
PioneerValleyGuide.com community network site, by
eCommunityGuide.
Area
Attractions
West Street Common Area
The Hadley town common is the largest common intact in
New England, measuring approximately one mile. You will find
beautiful historic homes aligning both sides of the old
common. The oldest house in Hadley is located on the common,
the Moses Porter House. It was built in 1713 and is the most
photographed doorway in Hampshire County.
17th Century Palisade
"In 1676 this common, and most of its buildings were
surrounded by a palisade built of split logs at least 3
fingers thick and 8 feet high. This fortification was one
mile long by 40 rods wide.Hadley was then a frontier outpost
which felt threatened by Native American Attack."
-Hadley Historical Commission
Old Hadley Cemetery
The Old Hadley Cemetery consists of many old grave markers
and prominent Hadley families, dating back from 1675. The
Hadley Historical Society hosts a wonderful tour of the old
cemetery, held annually.
Hadley Farm Museum
The Farm Museum is located at 147 Russell Street, on the
corner of Routes 9 and 47. Much can be seen and learned from
the Farm Museum. Visit their web site to learn more. Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 4:30, Sunday 1:30 - 4:30, Closed
Mondays. Open May 1 - October 12
For more information on the Hadley Farm Museum, click here
to visit their World Wide Web site.
Hadley Historical Room
On the second floor of the Goodwin Memorial Library is the
Hadley Historical Room, maintained by the Hadley Historical
Society. The Historical Room is open by appointment only.
Contact the Hadley Historical Society to make an appointment
100 Middle Street
Hadley, MA 01035
Phone: (413) 586-0221
Fax: (413) 586-5661
E-mail: hhc@hadleyma.org
Old Hadley Railroad Station
The old Hadley Railroad Station was once a popular mode of
transportation to and from the Pioneer Valley region. It can
be found off Railroad Street near the center of town.
Hockanum School House
The
Hockanum School House is an original one room school house
built in 1840. The school children of Hockanum Village
attended the school house until 1933, at which time it was
more economical for Hadley to bus all children to school in
the center of town. The school house is set up as it was in
1933, with its desks, blackboards, tin cups, pictures and
reading chart. Hadley once had seven one room school
houses; all the others have either been destroyed or
converted to homes over the years.
Lake Warner Dam
Caleb D. Dickinson founded the broom tool industry in the
United States. In 1840 he purchased water rights on Mill
River, North Hadley, and erected a factory. John C. Howe,
his son-in-law, joined the business in 1870. Until the
mid-nineteen-sixties, broom tools and knives were
manufactured by the last owner, Arthur C. Howe. Hopkins
Academy, at one time, held ownership of the property. It is
now privately owned and has been re-constructed due to fire.
Porter Phelps Huntington Museum
The Porter Phelps Huntington Museum, built by Moses Porter
in 1752, is located on Route 47, two miles north of the
intersection of Route 9 and 47 (center of town). It was
donated with its entire contents, to the
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation, Inc. by the owners, Dr.
and Mrs. James Lincoln Huntington, in 1955. It had been the
home of his family for six generations. It is now listed in
the National Register of Historic Places. Phone: 584-4699.
Hours: Saturday - Wednesday 1:00 - 4:30, May 15 - October
15. Other times available by appointment.
Skinner State Park and the Summit House
Located in the Connecticut River Valley, Holyoke Range State
Park and Skinner State Park includes 2,936 acres along the
spine of the Mt. Holyoke Range. Rising roughly 1,000 feet in
elevation, the Range offers unparalleled views of the
surrounding valley. The historic Summit House at Skinner
State Park, once a fashionable mountaintop hotel, is open
weekends for tours and programs.
Holyoke Range State Park Recreational facilities include
hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing,
snowmobiling, a Visitor's Center, and a picnic grove.
Seasonal interpretive programs are available.
The Summit House is located off Route 47 in Hadley. Call:
586-0350
Walking Tour of Hadley
A walking tour of Hadley is available by contacting the Town
Clerk's office.
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