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.

He was the first President born in the 20th century. he was one of the nation's youngest…read morepresidents. And for Americans of a certain generation, his death on November 22, 1963 was a shattering life event. The John F. Kennedy memorial plaza was funded by the parishioners of the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Holyoke and the memorial is located on front of the church. The memorial consists of a granite base and a bust of a youthful Kennedy. There are granite slabs flanking the memorial with quotes from his inaugural address and book "Profiles in Courage". Behind the memorial are granite blocks engraved with the names of recipients of the JFK award and the Grand Marshals of the St. Patrick's Day parade. The front of the base is inscribed: John Fitzgerald Kennedy 35th president of the United States May 29, 1917 Nov. 22, 1963 The back of the base has the presidential seal and the following inscription: John Fitzgerald Kennedy May 29, 1917 Nov. 22, 1963 The various inscriptions read: "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country" inaugural address 1961 "All this will not be finished in the first hundred days, nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, but let us begin." inaugural address 1961 "A man does what he must -- in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and damages and pressures, and that is the basis of all human morality" "Profiles in Courage" 1955 "... let us go forth to lead the land we love asking his blessing and his help, but knowing that here on earth god's work must truly be our own." Inaugural Address 1961

Not the biggest or most interesting memorial park I've been to, but a nice little park non the…read moreless. I drive by often and have stopped here a couple times and I'm actually really impressed with how well kept the memorial area is. I wouldn't say this location is something worth making a special trip, but do stop in if you're in the area.

This spectacular monument is located in a grassy town green at the intersection of Main Street and…read morePark Street, It's on your left as you drive southbound on Route 10. The green has benches, a brick paved patio, and was decorated with dozens of small American flags surrounding the memorial. The memorial itself consists of three pieces. The main component is a huge double-sided monument for WW I and WW II and two smaller monuments; one each for Korea and Vietnam. The WW I -WW II monument is light gray granite with a center panel of ascending right angles (think of a wedding cake). To each side of the center are wings that fan outward. On the center panel of the WW I side are three bronze plaques that mirror the shape of the granite behind it. The top plaque's inscription reads: In Honor of those who served in the World War 1917- 1918 Twenty names follow a second inscription that reads "These gave their lives" The other 2 plaques are much larger and list the names of Easthampton's WW I vets. There are no plaques or inscriptions on the two wing panels. Horizontal granite slabs were added to create benches. The center panel of the WW II side also has three plaques. These are of a gorgeous brown background with crisp gold lettering. The top plaque reads "World War II". The second plaque reads "In Honor of those who served 1941-1945". Logos of the six service branches are next, followed by 61 names that "made the supreme sacrifice". The rest of the center panel, as well as the left and right wing panels are covered with full size plaques of all Easthampton's WW II vets. In front of the World War II side are two highly polished reflective black monuments; one for Korea on the left and Vietnam on the right. The Korean War monument has an engraved mark of North and South Korea bisected by the 38th parallel. The names, faces, and dates of three Easthampton vets who were killed in Korea are engraved on the monument. The words "Freedom is not free" are engraved at the bottom of the monument. The Vietnam monument is very similar. It also has a bisected map; this one of North and South Vietnam. The names, faces, and dates of five Easthampton vets who were killed in Vietnam are engraved on the monument. The words "See what we saw. Feel what we felt" are engraved at the bottom of the monument. It's a lot to take in. It's one of the most impressive memorials I have seen, The faces of the Korean and Vietnam vets really makes visiting the memorial a personal experience.

Wow- the second Pulaski monument I've seen today!!…read more This one is very similar to the one I saw less than six miles away in Northampton. The Pulaski Monument is also located in a Pulaski Park; just like its Northampton cousin. This Pulaski Park is located in the center of Easthampton, at the rotary where Northampton Street, Main Street, and Pleasant Streets all merge. But what distinguishes the Easthampton version of Pulaski Park from the Northampton version of Pulaski Park is the awesome Pulaski Gazebo. The top of the Kasimer Pulaski Monument has an engraving of the White Eagle of Poland over a crossed US flag and a flag of the Polish Coat of Arms. The inscription below reads: IN MEMORY OF GENERAL CASIMIR PULASKI REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO AND CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN CAVALRY, WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE FREEDOM OF OUR COUNTRY. OCT 11, 1779 AT SAVANNAH, GA ERECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF EASTHAMPTON. OCT 11, 1929

This is a very understated monument located between the street and the front entrance of Memorial…read moreHall. It consists of two sets of triple-fold granite panels. Both sets have a large center panel that is flanked by two smaller panels. Both of the large center panels bears the inscription "Northampton Remembers" followed by the names of Northampton's WW II vets. The remaining four panels bear the names of Northampton's vets that served in the Spanish American War, WW I, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Above the phrase "Northampton remembers are the logos of the service branches, reading from left to right, they are the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, U.S Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Merchant Marine. The monument halves are located on the brick patio entrance to Memorial Hall. The bricks are installed in a parquet design and are of two colors, black and the traditional brick color. There is a flagpole centered between the monument halves.

The Quarrymen was the original name of John Lennon's band before it became the Beatles…read more A quarryman is someone who works in a stone quarry. Here in Center Hill Park, you will find a bronze statue of a Quarryman; honoring East Longmeadow's 19th century heritage as a quarrying center for red sandstone. Back in the day, there were over 50 working stone quarries in the area It's quite a statue; a serious looking guy with a floppy hat and floppy mustache is wearing bib overalls and holding a massive sledge hammer. He's standing on a big slab of red sandstone. There are more blocks of sandstone all around him. A plaque near the statue reads: THE QUARRYMAN Saluting the industry of our Founding Fathers here in the East Village who quarried red and brown sandstone from over fifty quarries during the 1800's. Their work remains enshrined in noted buildings across the land. This sculpture by Gregory Stone is a gift to the Town of East Longmeadow on the Celebration of its Centennial by L. James and Janet K. McKnight Dedicated July 3, 1994

A local hiking and wildlife Gem created decades ago . Eagles , Bobcats Turkeys and tons of other…read morewildlife. Too bad they can't figure out the simple task of adding parking lot spaces at the Windsor Dam facility.

One of the few places to get a view of the vastness of Quabbin Reservoir. Free admission. It's a…read moreself guided tour. About 80 steps to the top. 360 degree views. Maps to tell you what you are looking at. Huge parking lot.

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)