I grew up in the Bronx on a street named Gates Place. The next street over from Gates was Knox…read morePlace. Both streets were named after Revolutionary War Generals - Horatio Gates and Henry Knox. Henry Knox was a real hero of the Revolutionary War and his exploits have been memorialized in a series of 56 bronze plaques throughout Massachusetts and New York. Knox led an expedition that attacked and defeated the British at Fort Ticonderoga in New York. The real prize of that victory was 59 cannons that Knox commandeered and transported by ox-driven wagons all the way to Boston to drive out the Brits. Many historians consider this chain of events, led by Knox, to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The Henry Knox Cannon Trail traces the path that Knox travelled to transport those cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in the winter of 1775-1776. The Westfield marker is located at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 20) and U.S. 202, in front of the Tavern Restaurant It's inscription reads: Through this Place Passed General Henry Knox In the Winter of 1775 - 1776 To Deliver To General George Washington At Cambridge The Train of Artillery From Fort Ticonderoga Used To Force the British Army To Evacuate Boston Erected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1927

Westfield native Major-General William Shepard crammed a lot of action into his 80 years of life…read more He fought in 22 battles and was one tough sonuvabitch.. He fought in King George's War and the French and Indian War, He fought in Quebec, and served in the Revolutionary War, he defended Springfield during Shay's Rebellion, he served in the War of 1812. Why was he tough sonuvabitch? During the Revolution, he was shot in the neck by a cannon ball. He gained consciousness while the doctors were digging the ball out of his neck. He asked for a drink of water, and told the doctors to bandage him up so he could return to the fight. Now that's what I call a tough guy! When his military service ended, he turned to public service and became a state representative, senator, and councilor. He was elected to congress three times, and later in life served in town politics and was his church's deacon for 24 years. Westfield honors one of its most impressive native sons with a 1919 bronze statue on a town green at the intersection of Elm, Court, and Broad Streets. Several inscription on the stone base read: MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM SHEPARD 1737-1817 REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL COURT STATE SENATOR GOVERNOR'S COUNCILLOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR MEMBER OF CONGRESS U.S. COMMISSIONER TO THE SIX NATIONS MODERATOR XII YEARS SELECTMAN OF WESTFIELD XXVII YEARS DEACON OF THE CHURCH CHARTER TRUSTEE OF WESTFIELD ACADEMY ............................. ERECTED BY THE DESCENDANTS OF GENERAL SHEPARD AND THE PEOPLE OF WESTFIELD 1919. ....................... CAPTAIN - FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 1754-1763 MEMBER OF COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE AND SAFETY CONTINENTAL LINE ENGAGED IN XXII BATTLES 1775-1783 COLONEL AND BRIGADIER GENERAL MAYOR - GENERAL MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA SUBDUING SHAY'S REBELLION When he passed away. Someone wrote "No taint of meanness or dishonesty ever attached itself to him. He was distinguished for his good character and his unbending integrity."

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument consists of two spectacular bronze sculptures that stand on the…read morefront steps at the entrance of Memorial Hall. As you stand in front of the building and face the front door, a sculpture of a sailor stands to the right of the door and a sculpture of a soldier stands to the left. Memorial Hall was built in 1872 to honor the memory of the 90 Northampton residents who perished during the Civil War. The building has served as a library and museum over the years. The soldier and sailor are dressed in period uniform. The soldier holds his rifle vertically and the sailor holds a telescope in his right hand. It's a very cool monument -you get the feeling that the soldier and sailor are standing guard outside of the building -ever vigilant and ever dutiful.

The Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge is also known as the Gilbertville Covered Bridge because of its…read morelocation - specifically, it spans the Ware River at the village of Gilbertville, which lies within the town of Hardwick. The bridge connects the towns of Ware and Hardwick, but its immediate setting in Gilbertville gives rise to the alternate name. This dual naming reflects both geographic and historical context. Gilbertville was a 19th-century industrial village founded by the George H. Gilbert Company, and the bridge served as a vital link between the mills and surrounding communities. Built in 1886, it stands as one of only four wooden covered bridges in the state still located on their original sites. It is a single-span Town lattice truss, a design patented in 1820 by Ithiel Town. This system uses a dense web of diagonally crisscrossed planks, creating a strong yet economical structure without relying on arches. The bridge is about 137 feet long and 25 feet wide, with vertical board siding and a gabled metal roof. Notably, the siding leaves a strip open along the sides to allow natural light inside. The mills and tenements that once defined the village of Gilbertville were largely destroyed in a flood during the 1930s, but the bridge endured. In 1986, underwent major restoration in 1986-87, and was closed again in 2002 due to structural concerns including insect damage. After a $1.9 million rehabilitation, it reopened in 2010 with no weight limit. I wasn't sure if there was a place on the other side to make a U-turn, even though it has a high height limit so I opted not to drive the Sprinter through. I walked across to appreciate the bridge from inside and both sides of the span. It's a beautiful bridge. [Review 1123 of 2025 - 1268 in Massachusetts - 24676 overall]

This was the 9th covered bridge I visited in the course of 1 day. By the time I got here, all I…read morethought was that I didn't like the red on the front. I guess after 9 covered bridges you start getting petty. It's located off Route 32. Which is not a Scenic Road. And it really isn't visible from Route 32. But Waze happily gets you there. This is a bucket list bridge.

On the first anniversary of that terrible day, the Town of Agawam dedicated this memorial on a…read moregrassy strip in front their Fire Department Headquarters. It's a simple memorial consisting of two granite rectangular columns to represent the Towers of the World Trade Center. The granite blocks are set in a landscaped area with a memorial plaque. The inscription reads: Town of Agawam September 11th 2001 Memorial Let it be known to the world united we stand one nation under God With liberty and justice for all God bless America (Agawam Beautification Committee 9-11-02)

This is a small taste of the Holyoke experience. The history of this city has a lot to do with…read morethese canals and the downtown scene. It's best to visit through the summer months as the community spirit comes alive with music and venues. However it's accessible year round and a great spot to walk.

This small urban path system is really coming together. Beautiful old brick buildings provide many…read morephotography opportunities. And now there are even a couple places to stop for coffee or a bite to eat nearby. Enjoy some of the history in the area.

On December 22, 1999, Holyoke Police Officer John A. DiNapoli was shot to death in his vehicle when…read morean assailant fired ten bullets at him. This memorial honors him and two other Holyoke Officers, John P. Driscoll (1922) and James E. Headquarters.Gatzounas (1977), who died in the line of duty. The memorial is located in the Holyoke Heritage State Park just across the street from the Holyoke Police Department Headquarters. It's a beautiful monument portraying DiNapoli sitting on a bench between a young girl on his right and a young boy on his left. He is talking to the girl and has his hand on her back. The young boy is looking up at the officer and has a pile of school books on the bench. The front of the monument displays a Holyoke police badge. The back of the monument has the city shield and two engraved panels.

Very nice tribute to a fallen officer. I was a teenager when he was killed and remember that day…read morewell. I had met him on a couple of occasions and he was always a really nice guy. Sad that his life ended in this way. The monument is aptly placed facing the police station, in front of a parking lot where many cops park their vehicles. So you get the view they see each day they come to work.

A small tribute area but very informative and beautiful space to relax and think, workout, or even…read morehost a small gathering. AND of course, it's always great to reminded of the genius and resilience demonstrated in the ancestry of African Americans. A nice reminder if you ever feelin' a little down with current events--I definitely need a boost to keep pushin' every now and again.