monson center

Monson Center: The name suggests a village or town where you would see buildings. Not so. This is a landscape where there was once the only town in New Hampshire to voluntarily give up it's charter and dissolve. Back in 1735, this was the first inland settlement west of the Merrimack River in what is now NH (it was then part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony). Settlers from West Dunstable, MA moved north into the wilderness and established a small community here that they maintained for 35 years before abandoning the town. Many of the pioneers moved away, and only a few families stayed on through the early 20th century. Today, it is one of the only places in New England where 18th century cellar holes are essentially undisturbed, providing a glimpse of how these early settlers used the land and lived in a sometimes hostile environment. The property is entirely protected (having been under threat of development in the 1990s) by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, and under the careful stewardship of Russ Dickerman, one of the donors of the land where Monson once stood.The landscape you see first is a stunning reminder of what the early cleared land of New Hampshire looked like in the mid 1700s. There is a restored clock maker's shop containing a fascinating little museum about the history of Monson. The restoration and museum are the labor of love of Russ Dickerman and his deceased wife Geri, without whose passion for Monson, this land might never have been protected.Hike the trails to the old cellar holes where there are brief interpretive signs about the settlers, and if you are lucky stop in to the clock maker's shop when Russ is there to learn more about this remarkable place.NH's former state archeologist Gary Hume once called this one of the most important colonial archeological sites in New England. Explore this landscape and you will begin to understand why.

This is a great hike, the history alone is worth checking it out. there is a great map and the story of the ruins is fantastic. it is also considered a haunted hike as well. There is wildlife, I was here with my Grand Kids while resting and having a snack, a bear crossed the road about 40 feet from where we were.

Monson Village is one of the best gentle walks around New Hampshire. It starts in a lane running between two large, old fields, leading to a restored, original small farm house, now a very simple museum. (Usually, a devoted curator/caretaker/land-donater is on hand. He and his wife gave the land to the care of the NH Society for the Preservation of Forests.There are many trails going past several granite cellar holes, all that's left of the early times of the town of Milford. Where once there were fields, a large, clean forest has grown, so there is a lot of shade in the hot summer. There's a beautiful swamp and marsh area where scores of bird species can be spotted, including as many as 10 active nests of blue herons easily spotted in the high, dead trees of the swamp. I haven't been here in winter, but the other three seasons make this an special place to walk and meditate.

Monson is a serene step back in time. The trails are quiet and wind through the woods. Some pass by a swamp/pond, which in the summer has a dozen or more nesting Great Blue Herons in the tops of the dead trees. They are such a magnificent sight to see, swooping in to feed their young. The juvenile birds themselves are wonderful to watch - bring binoculars or a telephoto camera lens to get the best glimpse.During the summer, there is a rebuilt homestead along the road into "town" that is open most weekend days. Inside is a representation of what life was like back in Monson. The entry road goes through huge fields lined by rock walls. The green fields are beautiful, and the flowers nearby accent nicely. Along the trails, you'll find signs and information about the people who lived at particular sites, marked by the obvious remainders of dug cellars. The trails themselves are not really well marked, and attention is required while meandering. We are very comfortable in the outdoors and have never found ourselves lost, but some of the narrower and more winding trails require a good sense of direction. If you're not an avid outdoorsman, I'd suggest sticking to the larger and well traveled trails. We have had to help lead a few groups out from the depths of Monson, which is really not that big.This past fall, we were sitting near the pond when we heard a duck call echo out from the woods, soon to be followed by the loud bangs of a shot gun. The hunter missed his targets, but it served as a reminder to wear bright colors while walking in the woods during any hunting season. We always do and you should too.Monson is a very easy walk and can even accommodate walks with small children. You can walk for 30 minutes or hours on end. The historical significance and the simple beauty draw us back numerous times in the summer. In the winter, it's great for easy snow showing. Some of the main trails are shared with and maintained by a local snowmobile club so be ready to step aside for snow machines. You can always hear them coming.Go and enjoy Monson. It's easy to get to, on top of Federal Hill between Hollis and Milford. Parking by the entrance road is limited, and please to do NOT block access to the gate. There is another parking lot 100 feet farther up the hill that can hold more cars.

Interesting history of colonial times, and heron nests clearly visible during one of the many walks.

This is an amazing Lost Village experience, in a beautiful location on the hills surrounding Milford. There is a serenity about it. It is a special, special place.

It is hard to believe that you can get a glimpse of life in pre-Revolutionary War New Hampshire just minutes from the shopping malls and restaurants on 101A and downtown Nashua. If the paths, stone walls and cellar holes could speak, they would tell stories of the small, struggling frontier community of Monson from 1737-1770. Because of the conservation efforts of Russ and Geri Dickerman, many neighbors and the Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Monson is a magical place to enjoy at any time of year. Download a map from the web site to explore the many trails. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to visit when Russ Dickerman is at the Gould House so you can tour the only house from the time period which he restored and turned into a small museum.