Shelburne Falls in the News
New York Times Features Shelburne Falls
Up in the highlands of western Massachusetts, a Brigadoon lies squirreled away in the dense forest.
The Deerfield River bisects Shelburne Falls, along the scenic Mohawk Trail. Indians fished for salmon at the falls on the Deerfield River here in the 17th century; Europeans settled here in the 18th century. After the Mohawk Trail, designated a scenic road, opened early in the 20th century, touring families began to discover the attractions of this town, named for William Petty, Earl of Shelburne. And now, 100 years later, explorers have arrived from out West.
In the last year, Hollywood has made Shelburne Falls the cinematic canvas for two movies. Overnight, with a little window dressing, this village can mutate into other places or eras. Any morning, townsfolk could wake up in a Colonial village, the Wild West or even Indiana.