Uniquely Western Massachusettes

“The question is not what you look

By Renée S. Gordon History & Travel Writer

The land that is now Massachusetts has had an indigenous presence since the glaciers retreated and exposed rich land. The first permanent European settlement in New England was established by the Pilgrims in 1620 on Mohegan and Wampanoag land. Legend states that the following year the first Thanksgiving was held between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. Squanto, a native who had been captured, enslaved in Europe and returned to his homeland, functioned as a translator. #VisitMa

Colonists quickly moved to Western MA’s Northampton, 81-miles from Boston, in 1654. They hoped to obtain cultivable land and lucrative opportunities to barter with the indigenous people. Northampton was deemed Paradise City by Jenny Lind in 1920 because of its enviable geography amid farmland, the meandering Connecticut River, originally the Kwinitekw, and the Western Massachusetts Mountains. visithampshirecounty.com

In 1638 The first MA documented slave ship, The Desire, brought captives from the Caribbean to sell. Three years later the state became the first to legalize slavery. It was abolished in 1783. Northampton was always progressive and in the 1800s it was a home of radical abolitionism and had several documented Underground Railroad sites. When the abolitionist settled there they established a silk mill and named the area Northampton Association of Education and Industry. All members, black and white held equal shares in the mill and males and females had voting rights. The enactment of the Fugitive Slave Act essentially ended the community. Fugitives were no longer safe there and moved to Canada.

The community attracted prominent African Americans, Frederick Douglass, David Ruggles and Sojourner Truth. Truth lived there for nine years after purchasing her home with the proceeds from her narrative. A life-sized statue of her stands in a small square surrounded by informational plaques. @ sojournertruth

Henry David Thoreau

Calvin Coolidge was born in 1872 in Vermont and attended college in MA. He began as a lawyer in Northampton, eventually becoming Governor and 30th President of the U.S. The Forbes Library Coolidge Presidential Library Collection serves as a repository of artifacts, historical documents, photographs and memorabilia related to his life and career. #CalvinCoolidge

Northampton offers such a bevy of experiences for families and solo travelers that it has been designated “#1 Best Small Arts Town in America” and one of American Style Magazine’s “Top 25 Arts Destinations”. It is a destination for all seasons with museums, craft beverages, unique eateries, trails, farms and outdoor activities.

Hotel Northampton, a member of Historic Hotels of America, was constructed in 1927. It is located in the heart of downtown and close to everything. The rooms are elegantly appointed and offer luxury linens, designer products and all the other amenities. Wiggins, the original owner, furnished the rooms and public areas with museum-quality antiques and many continue to be on display. A list of the guests who have lodged there includes His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, David Bowie, John F. Kennedy, Tom Cruise, Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt, Bob Dylan, Stephen King and Wynton Marsalis.

Wiggins Tavern, originally in New Hampshire, was disassembled and reconstructed as part of the hotel. The hand-hewn beams, ornate paneling and stone hearths were painstakingly reconstructed. The tavern has served American fare, homemade baked goods and fine spirits to all visitors. @hotelnorthampton

A stroll through the Downtown Historic District reveals Colonial and Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne and Victorian architecture exemplifying popular styles from 1850-1920. Seven historic plaques, placed around the district, recount the history of Northampton.

The Botanic Garden of Smith College was founded by Laurenus C. Seelye, the first president of Smith College, 128 years ago. The 12,000 square foot site encompasses specialty gardens and a Japanese Garden for Reflection and Contemplation. Greater than 5,000 species are on display. The current exhibit is based on interpretations of six poems by Sylvia Plath, a Smith alumna. There are nine exhibit areas each with a QR code in which you hear her read her works. @smithcollegebotanicgarden

Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA) is a significant academic museum dedicated to facilitating the mission of Smith College, “to educate women of promise for lives of distinction and purpose.” The museum’s holdings include more than 27,000 works representing the arts across eras and areas. Three of the biggest draws are The Blue Man and a huge mural in the lobby area. The third must-see is the artist designed bathrooms on the lower level. The all-gender bathroom is a definite photo op! @smithartmuseum

Thornes Marketplace at Paul and Elizabeth’s is located inside an 1873 building on Main Street. Paul and Elizabeth’s Restaurant opened in 1978. The menu is extensive, delicious and there is aways fish on the menu. Thornes also houses more than 20 independent retailers that make for a superior shopping destination. @thornesmarketplace @paulan-delizabethsrestaurant

Yankee Candle Flagship store, located in South Deerfield, is one of Massachusetts’ major attractions. The 90,000 square foot of retail space is stocked with 200,000 candles with 200 scents. A portion of the building was originally a log cabin that has expanded to house 40 events annually. The store is a destination where visitors can participate in three interactive experiences, shop, dine, create a candle and explore Yankee Candle® Village. Santa drops in, after a helicopter landing, daily after Thanksgiving. Thirty-five-million people visit yearly. I think you should be one of them. @yankeecandle

Yankee Candle Flagship store, located in South Deerfield, is one of Massachusetts’ major attractions. The 90,000 square foot of retail space is stocked with 200,000 candles with 200 scents. A portion of the building was originally a log cabin that has expanded to house 40 events annually. The store is a destination where visitors can participate in three interactive experiences, shop, dine, create a candle and explore Yankee Candle® Village. Santa drops in, after a helicopter landing, daily after Thanksgiving. Thirty-five-million people visit yearly. I think you should be one of them. @yankeecandle

In 1682 a few English colonists began building homes on Deerfield Street on land that had been the village of Pocumtuck. The one-mile long Historic Deerfield Village is now a tour museum and 12 historic properties. The mission of the museum is to preserve the history of Deerfield and the Connecticut River Valley through tours, an exemplary collection of American crafts and educational programs.

One-third of the households in the Deerfield held at least one enslaved person. To commemorate their presence Witness Stones have been placed along the street near the sidewalks. Stones are inscribed with names of the enslaved and any additional information available. @historicdeerfield

End your trip to Western Massachusetts with a drive to the top of the 700-foot Mount Sugarloaf. The valley views are awesome and you can see, not only where you have been, but the places you have yet to see.