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National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Massachusetts facts for kids

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Map of Massachusetts highlighting Franklin County
Location of Franklin County in Massachusetts

Welcome to Franklin County, Massachusetts! This area is home to many special places that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of the National Register as a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect important buildings, sites, and areas that tell stories about our country's past. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its history, architecture, or special meaning.

In Franklin County, there are 61 different places on this list. One of them is even more special: it's a National Historic Landmark. This means it's considered super important to the history of the entire nation!

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a hall of fame for historic sites across the United States. It's managed by the National Park Service. The main goal is to help people understand and protect places that are important to American history.

Why are Places Listed?

Places get listed for many reasons. Maybe they are very old buildings with unique designs. Perhaps important events happened there, or famous people lived there. Sometimes, a whole area, like a town center, is listed because it shows how a community grew over time. Listing a place helps people appreciate its history and often provides support for its care.

Exploring Historic Places in Franklin County

Franklin County has a rich history, and its listed places show this. From old homes to bridges and even entire villages, each spot has a story.

Old Deerfield Village Historic District

One of the most famous places in Franklin County is the Old Deerfield Village Historic District. This isn't just one building; it's a whole historic village! It's so important that it's a National Historic Landmark. Walking through Old Deerfield is like stepping back in time. You can see many old homes and buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. These buildings show how people lived and worked long ago. It's a great place to learn about early American life.

Historic Bridges

Franklin County also has some cool historic bridges. These bridges are not just ways to cross rivers; they are also examples of old engineering.

Bardwell's Ferry Bridge

The Bardwell's Ferry Bridge is a great example. It crosses the Deerfield River and has been around for a long time. Bridges like this show how people built things before modern technology. They are important parts of the landscape and history.

Burkeville Covered Bridge

Another interesting bridge is the Burkeville Covered Bridge in Conway. Covered bridges are special because they have roofs and walls, almost like a tunnel. This design helped protect the wooden parts of the bridge from weather, making them last longer. It's a beautiful and historic landmark.

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many individual buildings in Franklin County are also on the National Register. These include old houses, schools, and even hotels.

Simeon Alexander Jr. House

The Simeon Alexander Jr. House in Northfield is an example of an old home that tells a story. It shows the style of houses built in the past and gives us a peek into the lives of families who lived there.

Alvah Stone Mill

The Alvah Stone Mill in Montague is another unique spot. Mills were very important in the past for grinding grain or making goods. This old mill has been repurposed and is now known as the Bookmill, a place where you can find books and enjoy the historic setting.

Newton Street School

The Newton Street School in Greenfield is a historic school building. Old schools like this remind us how education has changed over the years. They often have special architectural features that were common in their time.

Weldon Hotel

The Weldon Hotel in Greenfield is a historic hotel. Hotels were important gathering places and stops for travelers. This building shows the grand style of hospitality from a bygone era.

Historic Districts

Sometimes, a whole group of buildings in a town is considered historic. These are called historic districts. They show how a community developed over time.

Ashfield Plain Historic District

The Ashfield Plain Historic District in Ashfield includes many buildings along Main and South Streets. These districts help preserve the look and feel of old town centers.

Shelburne Falls Historic District

The Shelburne Falls Historic District is another important area. It spans parts of both Buckland and Shelburne. This district includes the famous Bridge of Flowers, which is a former trolley bridge turned into a beautiful pedestrian walkway with gardens. It's a unique example of how old structures can be given new life while keeping their history.

Images for kids

  • NorthfieldMA SimeonAlexanderJrHouse

    Simeon Alexander Jr. House

  • Ashfield Town Offices

    Ashfield Plain Historic District

  • Bardwell's Ferry Bridge viewed from north in 2014

    Bardwell's Ferry Bridge

  • GreenfieldMA BensonsAndMohawkBlocks

    Benson's New Block and the Mohawk Chambers

  • Bernardston Congregational Unitarian Church, MA

    Bernardston Congregational Unitarian Church

  • BISSELL BRIDGE

    Bissell Bridge

  • Burkeville Covered Bridge, Conway, MA

    Burkeville Covered Bridge

  • Charlemont Town Hall

    Charlemont Village Historic District

  • Brick Meeting House, Colrain MA

    Colrain Center Historic District

  • Conway Town Hall

    Conway Center Historic District

  • View of South Deerfield, MA

    Dedic Site

  • CharlemontMA Fairground Grandstand

    Deerfield Valley Agricultural Society Fairgrounds

  • Congregational Church, East Hawley MA

    East Hawley Center Historic District

  • Intersection of Shutesbury Road and Cushman Road, East Leverett MA

    East Leverett Historic District

  • GreenfieldMA EastMainHighStreetHD

    East Main-High Street Historic District

  • GreenfieldMA FranklinCountyFairgroundGate

    Franklin County Fairgrounds

  • GreenfieldMA GardenTheater

    Garden Theater Block

  • BucklandMA GriswoldHouse

    Maj. Joseph Griswold House

  • Heath Memorial Hall

    Heath Center Historic District

  • Parson Hubbard House, Shelburne MA

    Hill Cemetery and Parson Hubbard House Historic District

  • NorthfieldMA KingPhilipsHill

    King Philip's Hill

  • Greenfield Public Library, Greenfield, MA

    Leavitt-Hovey House

  • Leverett Congregational Church, Leverett MA

    Leverett Center Historic District

  • Greenfield Square Marker

    Main Street Historic District

  • 1858 Town Hall, Montague MA

    Montague Center Historic District

  • Moores Corner School House, 1810, Leverett MA

    Moore's Corner Historic District

  • NewSalem village common

    New Salem Common Historic District

  • North Leverett Baptist Church, North Leverett MA

    North Leverett Historic District

  • NorthfieldMA CenterCemetery 01

    Northfield Center Cemetery

  • Northfield, Massachusetts

    Northfield Main Street Historic District

  • BucklandMA OddfellowsHall

    Odd Fellows' Hall

  • Wells-Thorn House, Old Deerfield Street & Memorial Road, Deerfield (Franklin County, Massachusetts)

    Old Deerfield Village Historic District

  • Town Hall and Universalist Church, Orange MA

    Orange Center Historic District

  • NorthfieldMA PineStreetSchool

    Pine Street School

  • Powers Institute

    Powers Institute Historic District

  • TurnersFallsMA BridgeAndCanal

    Riverside Archeological District

  • Shelburne Town Hall

    Shelburne Falls Historic District

  • 1898 Public Library, Shelburne MA

    Shelburne Free Public Library

  • Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge, Colrain MA

    Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge

  • ShutesburyMA SouthSchool 01

    South School

  • Very old house in sunderland ma

    Sunderland Center Historic District

  • Old Tavern Farm, Greenfield MA

    Old Tavern Farm

  • TurnersFalls Canal

    Turners Falls Historic District

  • GreenfieldMA PostOffice

    US Post Office-Greenfield Main

  • The Weldon, Greenfield, MA

    Weldon Hotel

  • Meetinghouse, Wendell MA

    Wendell Town Common Historic District

  • West Whately Chapel, Whately MA

    West Whately Historic District

  • Whately Town Hall

    Whately Center Historic District

  • NewSalemMA WhitakerClaryHouse

    Whitaker-Clary House

  • BucklandMA WilderHomestead

    The Wilder Homestead

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National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Massachusetts Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.