ABOUT HARDWICK

In Massachusetts, between Boston and the Berkshires, there is a little-known farming town called Hardwick. The town of Hardwick is 40 square miles with a population of 2,700 and is a timeless example of a charming New England farm town with more than 250 years of history. The center of town is the Hardwick Common. The Common is like a step back in time and is bordered by a general store, a meeting house, a library, churches & lovely antique Colonial homes. A stones throw in any direction brings you to endless miles of rolling fields, family farms, organic grass pastures and conservation land.

Unspoiled and completely authentic Hardwick has held steadfastly to its agricultural roots. As you would imagine organic farms of all types thrive. You’ll feel as if you’ve entered a different world at the Sunday Hardwick Farmer’s Market. Fresh baked goods, coffee and a chance to catch up. The wealth of FRESH, LOCAL, GRASS FED, ORGANIC produce, meats, poultry, dairy, maple syrup, and even wine, is astonishing. Realizing that it can be delivered to your door step is truly mind-boggling!

Hardwick was originally purchased from the Indians by settlers in 1686 to be used as an agricultural community because of its abundant grazing lands and orchards. The town was incorporated in 1739 and boasts the oldest annual fair in the United States. The Hardwick Agricultural Fair is in its 248th year and is still a social highlight of the year. Baking the best blueberry pie and winning the hay contest still holds the same distinction as it did more than 200 years ago.

With the proximity of the Quabbin Reservoir Recreation Area, the Wachusett Mountain State Park & Ski Area, the East Quabbin Land Trust, and the Harvard University Forest, Hardwick is a haven for active recreation and nature lovers. Horseback riding, hiking, running, walking, biking, skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, fishing, bird & wildlife watching, nature photography, and family picnicking abound!

The Quabbin Reservoir, on the west side of Hardwick, is one of the largest water supplies in the world and the largest body of water in Massachusetts. The Quabbin Reservoir, created in the 1930’s, was a solution to Boston’s drinking water crisis. The Hardwick area was chosen for its pure and plentiful upland water supply.

The 3,000 acre Wachusett Mountain State Park and Ski Area, located just 20 minutes to the northeast, is another source of boundless natural beauty. The ski area has a peak elevation of over 2,000 feet, 360 degree panoramic views, 22 trails and 8 lifts.

The East Quabbin Land Trust is a local group dedicated to fostering the sustainable use of the areas natural and historic resources. To date the East Quabbin Land Trust has over 2,500 acres in conservation.

In 1907 Harvard University created the Harvard Forest to be used for research and education. The Harvard Forest is over 3000 acres and is one of the oldest, most extensively studied forests in North America.

Finally, The Eagle Hill School, a world renowned boarding school for children with learning disabilities, is located in Hardwick and has recently completed a state of the art $15M cultural center. The Cultural Center at Eagle Hill School is a 43,000 square foot facility that hosts many major productions (including Cirque Du Soleil recently), concerts, artists, local theater groups, town functions, and children’s events. Many other outstanding private schools are located in this astoundingly beautiful and historic area of New England.