Hi everyone, We had a great 3 hour hike today. As the wild flowers have faded, we’re focusing our attention on local history. First, here’s a photo of our very congenial group, human and canine. We’ve become fast friends.
Our first stopping point was at a 1770 very intact stone cellar hole, then we trekked to a stone “retaining wall” of remarkable history. That’s Gwen (photo 2) sitting on the retaining wall and reading the history of the summer home (photo 3) that was built there in the late 1800s by a wealthy industrialist from Florence MA. Nothing remains of the house and barns now except for this 100′ retaining wall.(You can see the wall in front of the house in the black and white photo.) The man who built the house planned on retiring there. After completion of the house, gala parties were given with many guests and house guests until the man died 4 years after completion of the house. The house was passed on to 3 different inheritors over the years, but went unused and, as the story is written, the house and barns “disappeared”. Eventually, the town of Williamsburg took over its 350 acres.Now where there had been long views of the valley, a forest has grown and the views are gone. It’s stunning being there and exploring and imagining… As it’s way off the beaten path it’s not a much visited site anymore. Wow! I can just imagine the party dresses that were bought to go there for the weekend…
Then on to Gwen’s house for a great pot luck lunch and a swim. Enjoy this good day! Penny
Our first stopping point was at a 1770 very intact stone cellar hole, then we trekked to a stone “retaining wall” of remarkable history. That’s Gwen (photo 2) sitting on the retaining wall and reading the history of the summer home (photo 3) that was built there in the late 1800s by a wealthy industrialist from Florence MA. Nothing remains of the house and barns now except for this 100′ retaining wall.(You can see the wall in front of the house in the black and white photo.) The man who built the house planned on retiring there. After completion of the house, gala parties were given with many guests and house guests until the man died 4 years after completion of the house. The house was passed on to 3 different inheritors over the years, but went unused and, as the story is written, the house and barns “disappeared”. Eventually, the town of Williamsburg took over its 350 acres.Now where there had been long views of the valley, a forest has grown and the views are gone. It’s stunning being there and exploring and imagining… As it’s way off the beaten path it’s not a much visited site anymore. Wow! I can just imagine the party dresses that were bought to go there for the weekend…
Then on to Gwen’s house for a great pot luck lunch and a swim. Enjoy this good day! Penny
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