J. A. Skinner State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids J. A. Skinner State Park
The Summit House
J. A. Skinner State Park Location in Massachusetts
Location	Hadley, South Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, United States
Area	843 acres (341 ha)
Elevation	443 ft (135 m)
Established	1940
Operator	Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website	Skinner State Park

Joseph Allen Skinner State Park is a fun place to visit in western Massachusetts. It's a state park located in the towns of Hadley and South Hadley. This park is special because it surrounds Mount Holyoke, which is the westernmost peak of the Mount Holyoke Range.

At the very top of Mount Holyoke, you'll find the historic Prospect House. This building used to be an old hotel that first opened its doors way back in 1851. The park is looked after by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Park History: From Hotel to State Park

Early Days of the Prospect House

Imagine a time when people traveled differently! To reach the Prospect House, guests would take a steamboat across the Connecticut River. This boat would pick them up at the Smiths Ferry railroad station.

After the boat ride, they would get on a special tramway. This tramway led them to a place called the Half Way House. From there, another steep tram would take them all the way to the summit.

The Prospect House was run by John and Fanny French. They made the hotel bigger twice. First, in 1861, they added more space. Then, in 1894, they almost doubled its size by building a new section.

Joseph Skinner's Gift to Massachusetts

In 1908, a group bought the property. This group included Joseph Skinner, who was a local business owner. Their goal was to keep the land safe until it could become a state park.

The hotel kept running until 1938. That year, a very strong storm called the Great Hurricane of 1938 hit. It badly damaged the newer part of the hotel from 1894. Because of the damage, that part had to be taken down.

Soon after the hurricane, Joseph Allan Skinner made a generous offer. He decided to give the hotel and all the land around it to the state of Massachusetts. He had one condition: it had to become a state park named after him. The park officially opened in June 1940.

Restoring the Summit House

For many years, there wasn't enough money to take care of the summit house and the old tramway. The remains of the tramway were removed in 1964. By the mid-1970s, some people even suggested tearing down the summit house.

But people who loved the park spoke up! They didn't want the historic building to be destroyed. Because of their efforts, the Summit House was restored in the mid-1980s. This restoration included the original 1851 building and the part added in 1861. After more work in 2014, the building reopened for tours.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

J. A. Skinner State Park is a great place for outdoor adventures! You can enjoy amazing views from the top of Mount Holyoke. It's also a perfect spot for a picnic with your family and friends.

The park has over 40 miles (64 km) of trails for hiking and exploring. This includes an 11-mile (18 km) section of the famous Metacomet-Monadnock Trail. You can easily get to the park from Route 47 in Hadley.

During the summer, the Summit House hosts concerts. These concerts are supported by a group called the Friends of the Mt. Holyoke Range. It's a wonderful way to enjoy music in a beautiful setting!