





Source: | Submitted by kfmwriter | |
Address: | 554 Sloan Road, Williamstown, MA 01267 | |
Hours: | Grounds, sunrise to sunset. | |
Fee: | Free | |
Contact: | 413-298-3239; [email protected] | |
Bathrooms: | You can ask at the guest house. | |
Water/Snacks: | Bring your own. |
There are several loop trails, from a short trek around the pond, perfect for a quick walk, to longer ones through varied terrain, plus a sculpture garden to explore.
About as far west as you can get in Massachusetts, near the borders of New York and Vermont, Field Farm, a Trustees of Reservations property in Williamstown, sits on the eastern slope of the Taconic Range with views of Mount Greylock. The 300-acre property is home to two Modernist houses (one is a B&B; one is a museum), which are surrounded by open fields, woods and wetlands.
Around the houses, the manicured lawn is dotted with sculptures, while four miles of trails lay beyond the small pond. A visitor’s center has a few exhibits about the various habitats here, where white-tail deer, coyote, bobcats, an active beaver colony, turtles, snakes, salamanders, as well as a wide variety of marsh-nesting birds and waders live. You may be able to spot red-winged blackbirds, kingfishers, red-tailed hawks and great blue herons. For sure, you’ll see evidence of busy woodpeckers, and maybe (like we did) see one in action.
All the trails, as well as the grounds, are open to the public year-round and offer a variety of walks. Thirteen modern sculptures, including works by Richard M. Miller and Herbert Ferber, are located on the grounds. A short circuit around the pond is less than a half-mile. The mile-long North Trail circles the centrally located pasture in a wide loop and affords mountain views in all directions. You can opt to veer onto the Oak Loop trail for another half mile across a flowing stream and abundant ferns in the mature oak forest and then take the Caves Trail loop, another half mile, to explore small streams.
While the main house is an inn (families with kids over 12 can stay there), the Folly, the smaller house, which is centered around a central silo, is open for tours in July and August. Architecture and Modernist buffs enjoy its design, with elements of Shingle-style architecture and the original, contemporary furnishings left intact. If you do have older kids, a weekend at the guest house makes for a wonderful getaway.
Plan B:Head to nearby Cricket Creek Farm, just up the road. Kids will love to visit the farm animals and adults might be tempted to pick up some delicious cheese and other local products. Another great farm to visit nearby, Sweet Brook Farm, is home to an alpacas herd you can visit, and a small shop which sells both alpaca wool products and maple syrup produced there.
Where to Eat Nearby:Head into Williamstown to find a variety of cafes and restaurants.
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