Northfield

Northfield is a rural community bordered by Vernon, Windham County, Vermont, and Hinsdale and Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, to the north, Warwick to the east, Erving to the south, Gill to the southwest and Bernardston to the northwest. It is a town of farmland, forested hills, streams, wetlands and wildlife. Northfield is the only town in Massachusetts situated on both sides of the Connecticut River. The town has a total area of 35.4 square miles with a population of approximately 3,000.

Attractions

D.L. Moody Museum, at the corner of Moody Street and Highland Aveue, presents the life and career of 19th century evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody, who founded the boys' school and girls' school that merged to become Northfield Mount Hermon in 1971. Among the items exhibited in a special wing of Moody's birthplace are photographs, statues of him and his bronze death mask. Open by appointment only. Call 413-498-3000 for a tour. Switchboard open Monday - Saturday.

Northfield Historical Society, on Pine Street, displays three centuries of toys, art, textiles and other items owned by Northfield families. Hours vary. Open Sunday afternoons 2:00 to 4:00 pm July and August. Also open Wednesday evenings 6:30 to 8:00 pm June through September. Call 413-498-5472 for appointment or information.

Dickinson Memorial Library, on Main Street. The two-story brick library has the original tiled floor; 14 stained glass windows, cozy reading, but with all the modern conveniences including wireless access. Open Tuesay 1 to 8 pm; Wednesday and Thursday 1 to 6 pm; Friday 10 am to 6 pm; and Saturday 10 am to 3 pm. Call 413-468-2455 for further information

Northfield Mountain is the site of Northeast Utilities' Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station, located on Route 63 near the Millers Falls town line. The pumped storage generating plan is housed deep inside the mountain and has the capability of generating one million killowatts of electricity. Water from the Connecticut River is pumped up to a 300-acree reservior on top of the mountain, and then allowed to pour back down through the turbines. Northfield Mountain also offers a variety of environmental and recreational programs, including cross-country ski trails. 413-659-3714

Pauchaug Brook, is a boat ramp and wildlife management area located on Route 10. The boat ramp offers access to the Connecticut River. Boaters can camp overnight or picnic at Northfield Mountain's Munn's Ferry campground a few miles downstream.

History

The village of Skakeat/Squakheag was the site of modern-day Northfield and was home to the Nashaway Nipmuc and Sokoki Abenaki. Northfield was first colonized by European settlers in 1673 and was officially incorporated in 1723. Indian Land Deeds for Hampshire County, Including Later Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden Counties, gives the name of the otan (village) as Squakheag (a Nipmuk name), also Skakeat (Sokoki Abenaki). John Eliot, in his Brief Narrative...History of the Nipmuk, attributes this village to the Nipmuc.

For more information, visit the Northfield Town Website