#51 - 56 Barre, Hubbardston, Beverly, Wenham, Middleton, Monson

Monson (56) - We had a Lovely day in Monson. First Congregational Church was huge and beautiful, particularly against a bluebird sky. For our walk, we hiked the Trustees Peaked Mountain trails, which are terrific and well marked. You had a view of Wachusett Mountain from one side and the city of Springfield on another overlook.

Middleton (55) - In this bedroom community stands the venerable Curtis Oak. Standing 80’ tall and 100’ in diameter, this White Oak is estimated to be over 400 years old.

Barre (51) has large war memorial park (but, surprisingly, no Revolutionary War memorial). We learned that the ONLY commissioned female officer in the Civil War (Captain Ella Elvira Gibson - Chaplain) hailed from Barre.

Wenham (54) has Gordon College as well as some glacial ponds with walking trails.

In Beverly (53) we walked on yet another college campus - Endicott!

Hubbardston (52) is a rural suburb of Gardner. Honestly, there was not much to see here. Photo is of the Jonas G Clark building (built in 1874) which now houses the public library.