Moore State Park Explained

Moore State Park
Map:USA Massachusetts#USA
Map Size:280
Relief:1
Location:Paxton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates:42.3172°N -71.9519°W
Area Acre:737
Area Ref:[1]
Elevation:307.8m (1,009.8feet)
Operator:Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website:Moore State Park
Embedded:
Moore State Park Historic District
Embed:yes
Nrhp Type:hd
Nocat:yes
Architecture:Early Republic
Added:May 21, 2004
Refnum:04000535

Moore State Park is a 737acres public recreation area located in the town of Paxton, Massachusetts, USA, portions of which were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Moore State Park Historic District in 2004. Features of the state park include historical building foundations, a restored sawmill, Eames Pond, waterfalls and mill chutes as well as abundant azaleas, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel. The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.[2]

History

A portion of the land within Moore State Park was once the site of at least five 18th- and 19th-century watermills that were powered by Turkey Hill Brook, which cascades 90 feet over a 400-foot run. The first mills on the site were a gristmill and sawmill built as early as 1747. Visible remnants of the mill village include a triphammer, quarry, schoolhouse and tavern. In the early 20th century, the property became a private estate, large portions of which were subsequently included in the state park.[2]

In 2003, park staff working with the American Chestnut Foundation created a large plantation of experimentally bred chestnut trees as part of efforts to return blight-resistant American chestnut trees to the United States.[3]

Activities and amenities

Park recreational opportunities include canoeing, fishing, hunting, hiking, cross-country skiing and picnicking. Interpretive programs and concerts are held in season.[2]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2012 Acreage Listing . Department of Conservation and Recreation . April 2012 . January 19, 2014 . June 7, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170607063512/http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/ld/acreage.pdf . dead .
  2. Web site: Moore State Park . MassParks . Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs . August 14, 2013.
  3. News: Planting a Comeback . Bradford L. . Miner . Telegram & Gazette . Gatehouse Media . Worcester, Mass. . January 25, 2011 . February 14, 2017 . February 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215132029/http://www.telegram.com/article/20110125/NEWS/101250394 . dead .