List of covered bridges in Massachusetts Facts for Kids

Have you ever seen a bridge with a roof and walls? These are called covered bridges! They are special bridges that look like long, wooden tunnels. In the state of Massachusetts, there were twelve of these amazing bridges as of 2003. Seven of them are very old and important. A covered bridge is considered "authentic" not just because it's old, but because of how it's built. Real covered bridges use strong wooden frames called trusses to hold them up, instead of simple beams.

Massachusetts' Covered Bridges
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Massachusetts' Covered Bridges

Massachusetts is home to several unique covered bridges. Each one has its own story and special features. Let's explore some of them!

Bissell Bridge

The Bissell Bridge is located in Charlemont. It was first built in 1951 and then rebuilt in 2009. This bridge is about 94 feet (29 m) long and crosses Mill Brook. The town of Charlemont owns and takes care of it.

Burkeville Covered Bridge

You can find the Burkeville Covered Bridge in Conway. It was built a long time ago, between 1870 and 1871, and then rebuilt in 1999. This bridge is about 106 feet (32 m) long. It crosses the South River, which flows into the Deerfield River. The town of Conway owns this bridge, which is also sometimes called the Conway Covered Bridge.

Creamery Bridge

The Creamery Bridge is in Ashfield. It's a more modern covered bridge, built in 1985. It's 40 feet (12 m) long and crosses Creamery Brook. This bridge is privately owned.

Dummerston/Vermont Bridge

Dummerston/Vermont Bridge

This bridge is located in Sturbridge and was built in 1951. It is 55 feet (17 m) long and crosses an arm of the Quinebaug River. It is part of Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum. Before it came to Massachusetts, this bridge was actually in Dummerston, Vermont! It is also known as the Taft Bridge.

Goodrich Bridge

The Goodrich Bridge is in Westfield. It was built in 1965 and is 40 feet (12 m) long. This bridge crosses over a pond and is located in Stanley Park.

Grays Sugarhouse Bridge

Another bridge in Ashfield is the Grays Sugarhouse Bridge. It was built in 1994 and is 20 feet (6.1 m) long. It crosses a small stream that flows into the Bear River. This bridge is also privately owned.

Green River Pumping Station Bridge

Green River Pumping Station Bridge

You can find the Green River Pumping Station Bridge in Greenfield. It was built in 1972 and is 94 feet (29 m) long. It crosses the Green River. The state of Massachusetts owns this bridge, which is also called the Eunice Williams Bridge.

Old Covered Bridge

The Old Covered Bridge is in Sheffield. The original bridge was built between 1837 and 1838, and again in 1854. Sadly, the original bridge burned down in 1994, but it was rebuilt in 1998. It is 93 feet (28 m) long and crosses the Housatonic River. The town of Sheffield owns this bridge, which is also known as the Upper Sheffield or Sheffield Bridge.

Sawyer Pond Bridge

The Sawyer Pond Bridge is located in Magnolia. It was built in 1983 and is 40 feet (12 m) long. It crosses Sawyer Pond and is privately owned.

Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge

This bridge is in Colrain. It has been rebuilt several times over the years, with dates like 1868, 1870, 1896, and most recently 2006. It is 98 feet (30 m) long and crosses the North River. The town of Colrain owns this historic bridge.

Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge

The Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge connects the towns of Hardwick and Ware. It was built in 1886 and rebuilt in 1986. This is one of the longer bridges, at 137 feet (42 m). It crosses the Ware River. Both towns of Ware and Hardwick share ownership of this bridge, which is also called the Gilbertville or Ware Bridge.

Chester/Charles H. Waterous Bridge

Chester/Charles H. Waterous Bridge

This bridge is in East Pepperell. It was first built in 1848 and has been rebuilt in 1962 and 2010. It is 108 feet (33 m) long and crosses the Nashua River. The town of Pepperell owns this bridge. It has also been known as Nehemiah Jewett's Bridge and Pepperell Bridge.