>>> COMING UP, WE'RE E PROCEDURING ALL THAT WESTERN PROCEDURING ALL THAT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND HAS TO OFFER, NEW ENGLAND HAS TO OFFER, INCLUDING A CONNECTICUT MUSEUM INCLUDING A CONNECTICUT MUSEUM THAT YOU HAVE TO HIKE TO GET TO.

THAT YOU HAVE TO HIKE TO GET TO.

BUT THE VIEW IS WORTH THE TRIP.

BUT THE VIEW IS WORTH THE TRIP.

>> ONE OF THE MOST COMMON >> ONE OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS IS, HOW MANY STEPS, QUESTIONS IS, HOW MANY STEPS, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH FARTHER SIT, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH FARTHER SIT, BECAUSE ONCE YOU REACH THE BECAUSE ONCE YOU REACH THE TOWER, YOU'LL STILL GOT 165 FEET TOWER, YOU'LL STILL GOT 165 FEET TO GO.

TO GO.

>> WE HEAD TO VERMONT TO YOU >> WE HEAD TO VERMONT TO YOU EVER -- UNCOVER THE STORY BEHIND EVER -- UNCOVER THE STORY BEHIND COVERED BRIDGES.

COVERED BRIDGES.

>> YOU CAN DRIVE THROUGH THEM, >> YOU CAN DRIVE THROUGH THEM, YOU CAN WALK THROUGH THEM.

YOU CAN WALK THROUGH THEM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL PETITION A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL PETITION THEIR TOWN TO SHUT DOWN THEIR THEIR TOWN TO SHUT DOWN THEIR COVERED BRIDGE FOR AN AFTERNOON COVERED BRIDGE FOR AN AFTERNOON OF SOMETHING.

OF SOMETHING.

THEY'LL HAVE A WEDDING IN THE THEY'LL HAVE A WEDDING IN THE COVERED BRIDGE.

COVERED BRIDGE.

>>> AND WE'LL VISIT A SANCTUARY >>> AND WE'LL VISIT A SANCTUARY OF ART AND NATURE NESLED IN THE OF ART AND NATURE NESLED IN THE HILLS OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

HILLS OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

>> IT'S A MAGICAL SPACE, NO >> IT'S A MAGICAL SPACE, NO MATTER WHICH CORNER YOU TURN MATTER WHICH CORNER YOU TURN AROUND, THERE'S SOMETHING TO AROUND, THERE'S SOMETHING TO SEE.

SEE.

IT WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY.

IT WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY.

>> JOIN US FOR THOSE STORIES AND >> JOIN US FOR THOSE STORIES AND MORE AS WE EXPLORED THE KRAFTE, MORE AS WE EXPLORED THE KRAFTE, THAT MAKE US WESTERN THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, UP NEXT ON NEW ENGLAND, UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING POINT."

"CONNECTING POINT."

>>> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING >>> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> WELCOME AND THANKS FOR >>> WELCOME AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR.

JOINING US FOR.

I'M BRINE, IN FOR SAIDZ.

I'M BRINE, IN FOR SAIDZ.

EACH WEEK THIS SUMMER WE'RE EACH WEEK THIS SUMMER WE'RE EXPLORING ALL THAT WESTERN EXPLORING ALL THAT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND HAS HAS TO TO OFFERD NEW ENGLAND HAS HAS TO TO OFFERD TODAY WE'RE COMING TO YOU FROM TODAY WE'RE COMING TO YOU FROM SHELBURNE FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHELBURNE FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS.

THIS LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF THIS LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A MOVIE, WHICH IS NO COINCIDENCE A MOVIE, WHICH IS NO COINCIDENCE AS IT IS SERVED AS THE SETTING AS IT IS SERVED AS THE SETTING FOR MORE THAN ONE HOLLYWOOD FOR MORE THAN ONE HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION.

PRODUCTION.

IN ADDITION TO ITS CHARMING MAIN IN ADDITION TO ITS CHARMING MAIN STREET, THE VILLAGE IS NOTABLE STREET, THE VILLAGE IS NOTABLE FOR ITS GLACIAL POTHOLES, AS THE FOR ITS GLACIAL POTHOLES, AS THE HOME OF ONE OF THE OLDEST HOME OF ONE OF THE OLDEST BOWLING ALLEYS IN THE COUNTRY, BOWLING ALLEYS IN THE COUNTRY, AND FOR ITS FAMOUS BRIDGE OF AND FOR ITS FAMOUS BRIDGE OF FLOWERS.

FLOWERS.

OUR FIRST STORY BEGINS IN THE OUR FIRST STORY BEGINS IN THE HILLS OF CONNECTICUT.

HILLS OF CONNECTICUT.

A VISIT TO THE HEUBLIEN TOWER A VISIT TO THE HEUBLIEN TOWER ISN'T EASY.

ISN'T EASY.

IT MAY BE ONE OF THE TOUGHEST IT MAY BE ONE OF THE TOUGHEST MUSEUMS TO GET TO.

MUSEUMS TO GET TO.

YOU HAVE TO HIKE A MILE AND A YOU HAVE TO HIKE A MILE AND A HALF ALONG THE TOP OF TALCOTT HALF ALONG THE TOP OF TALCOTT MOUNTAIN TO REACH THE BASE OF MOUNTAIN TO REACH THE BASE OF THE TOWER.

THE TOWER.

AFTER THAT, IT'S ANOTHER 120 AFTER THAT, IT'S ANOTHER 120 STEPS UP TO THE TOP OF THE STEPS UP TO THE TOP OF THE OBSERVATION DECK.

OBSERVATION DECK.

BUT THE REWARD IS BREATHTAKING.

BUT THE REWARD IS BREATHTAKING.

A 360-DEGREE VIEW OF THE FARMER A 360-DEGREE VIEW OF THE FARMER RIVER VALLEY BELOW.

RIVER VALLEY BELOW.

"CONNECTING POINT" PRODUCER DAVE "CONNECTING POINT" PRODUCER DAVE FRASER WILL TELL YOU THAT THE FRASER WILL TELL YOU THAT THE VIEW IS MOST DEFINITELY WORTH VIEW IS MOST DEFINITELY WORTH THE TRIP, AND HE BRINGS US THIS THE TRIP, AND HE BRINGS US THIS STORY.

STORY.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> AS YOU TRAVEL ALONG ROUTE 202 >> AS YOU TRAVEL ALONG ROUTE 202 THROUGH THE FARMINGTON VALLEY IN THROUGH THE FARMINGTON VALLEY IN THE TOWNS OF AVON AND SIMSBURY, THE TOWNS OF AVON AND SIMSBURY, THERE IS A TALL STONE STRUCTURE THERE IS A TALL STONE STRUCTURE VISIBLE ON THE TOP OF TALCOTT VISIBLE ON THE TOP OF TALCOTT MOUNTAIN.

MOUNTAIN.

THIS STRUCTURE IS THE HEUBLIEN THIS STRUCTURE IS THE HEUBLIEN TOWER.

TOWER.

IT IS CURRENTLY OWNED AND IT IS CURRENTLY OWNED AND MAINTAINED THROUGH A COOPERATIVE MAINTAINED THROUGH A COOPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE STATE OF EFFORT BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE FRIENDS OF CONNECTICUT AND THE FRIENDS OF HEUBLIEN TOWER.

HEUBLIEN TOWER.

JAY IS PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS JAY IS PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF HEUBLIEN TOWER.

OF HEUBLIEN TOWER.

OR IS IT -- HIGH BLIN TOWER?

OR IS IT -- HIGH BLIN TOWER?

>> THERE'S THEE PRONUNCIATIONS.

>> THERE'S THEE PRONUNCIATIONS.

HEUBLIEN IS THE FAMILY, HEUBLIEN HEUBLIEN IS THE FAMILY, HEUBLIEN IS THE BUSINESS, AND THE CORRECT IS THE BUSINESS, AND THE CORRECT PRONONSIATION IS "HIGH BLIN."

PRONONSIATION IS "HIGH BLIN."

>> THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE >> THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE VIEW FROM THE TOP OFFERS AN VIEW FROM THE TOP OFFERS AN AMAZING 360-DEGREE EXPERIENCE.

AMAZING 360-DEGREE EXPERIENCE.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> ONCE YOU GET TO THE TOP, >> ONCE YOU GET TO THE TOP, AGAIN, YOU LOOK ALL THE WAY OUT AGAIN, YOU LOOK ALL THE WAY OUT ORDERS NEW YORK, MOHAWK ORDERS NEW YORK, MOHAWK MOUNTAIN, UP INTO MASSACHUSETTS, MOUNTAIN, UP INTO MASSACHUSETTS, MT.

TOM, DOWN TO THE SOUTH MT.

TOM, DOWN TO THE SOUTH TOWARD SLEEPING GIANT AND TOWARD SLEEPING GIANT AND HAMPTON.

HAMPTON.

AND YOU SEE HEARTFIELD AND -- AND YOU SEE HEARTFIELD AND -- HARTFORD AND SPRINGFIELD.

HARTFORD AND SPRINGFIELD.

>> MOST PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO >> MOST PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE MADE IT TO THE TOP.

HAVE MADE IT TO THE TOP.

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS IS HOW MANY STEPS, HOW MUCH IS HOW MANY STEPS, HOW MUCH FARTHER IS IT, BECAUSE ONCE FARTHER IS IT, BECAUSE ONCE YOU'VE REACHED THE TOWER, YOU YOU'VE REACHED THE TOWER, YOU STILL HAVE 165 FEET TO GO AND STILL HAVE 165 FEET TO GO AND YOU CAN DO THAT IN 120 STEPS UP YOU CAN DO THAT IN 120 STEPS UP AND ANOTHER 120 STEPS TO GET AND ANOTHER 120 STEPS TO GET BACK DOWN.

BACK DOWN.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> GILBERT HEUBLIEN MOVED TO >> GILBERT HEUBLIEN MOVED TO HARTFORD WITH HIS FAMILY IN THE HARTFORD WITH HIS FAMILY IN THE MID 18 HUNDREDS.

MID 18 HUNDREDS.

HE PROMISED HIS FIANCEE THAT HE HE PROMISED HIS FIANCEE THAT HE WOULD BUILD HER A CASTLE ON A WOULD BUILD HER A CASTLE ON A MOUNTAIN.

MOUNTAIN.

>> HE WAS HERE WITH HIS FIANCEE >> HE WAS HERE WITH HIS FIANCEE LOUISE AND HE HAD WALKED UP HERE LOUISE AND HE HAD WALKED UP HERE AND SAID SOMEDAY I'M GOING TO AND SAID SOMEDAY I'M GOING TO BUILD YOU A CASTLE HERE.

BUILD YOU A CASTLE HERE.

AND HE WAS 65 IN 1914 AND HE AND HE WAS 65 IN 1914 AND HE STARTED IT.

STARTED IT.

>> THEY WERE MEMBERS OF THE >> THEY WERE MEMBERS OF THE HARTFORD'S SOCIAL ELITE.

HARTFORD'S SOCIAL ELITE.

GILBERT'S FATHER BEGAN A GILBERT'S FATHER BEGAN A RESTAURANT AND HOTEL BUSINESS IN RESTAURANT AND HOTEL BUSINESS IN 1862 AND THE COMPANY BEGAN 1862 AND THE COMPANY BEGAN MANUFACTURING A-1 STEAK SAUCE MANUFACTURING A-1 STEAK SAUCE AND LATER SMIRNOFF -- SMIR AND LATER SMIRNOFF -- SMIR NOVEMBER VODKA.

NOVEMBER VODKA.

IT IS COMPLETE WITH LUXURIOUS IT IS COMPLETE WITH LUXURIOUS BEDROOMS, A KITSCH, -- KITCHEN, BEDROOMS, A KITSCH, -- KITCHEN, AND LIVING AREAS ON EACH FLOORS AND LIVING AREAS ON EACH FLOORS AND THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL AND THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL ELEVATOR IN CONNECTICUT.

ELEVATOR IN CONNECTICUT.

ON THE TOP FLOOR WAS A BALLROOM, ON THE TOP FLOOR WAS A BALLROOM, KNOWN AS THE OBSERVATION DECK, KNOWN AS THE OBSERVATION DECK, WHERE THE HUGH BLIENS POST -- WHERE THE HUGH BLIENS POST -- HEUBLIENS POST -- HOSTED HEARTED HEUBLIENS POST -- HOSTED HEARTED AND ENTERTAINED THEIR -- PARTIES AND ENTERTAINED THEIR -- PARTIES AND ENTERTAINED THEIR GUESTS.

AND ENTERTAINED THEIR GUESTS.

>> THEY BROUGHT A COOK, AS WELL >> THEY BROUGHT A COOK, AS WELL AS THEMSELVES.

AS THEMSELVES.

AND THIS WOULD BE AN AND THIS WOULD BE AN ENTERTAINMENT VENUE AND THEY'D ENTERTAINMENT VENUE AND THEY'D COME UP FOR THE WEEKENDS AND COME UP FOR THE WEEKENDS AND WEEK AT A TIMEFUL.

WEEK AT A TIMEFUL.

IT REPRESENTS GILBERT'S IT REPRESENTS GILBERT'S HERITAGE.

HERITAGE.

A LOT OF THE BAVARIAN BACK WHERE A LOT OF THE BAVARIAN BACK WHERE HE WAS FROM, THERE'S A TOWER HE WAS FROM, THERE'S A TOWER VERY SIMILAR TO THIS.

VERY SIMILAR TO THIS.

>> GILBERT DIED IN 1937 FOR SIX >> GILBERT DIED IN 1937 FOR SIX YEARS THE TOWER STOOD EMPTY.

YEARS THE TOWER STOOD EMPTY.

IT WAS PURCHASED BY THE HARTFORD IT WAS PURCHASED BY THE HARTFORD TIMES NEWSPAPER AND BECAME A TIMES NEWSPAPER AND BECAME A PLACE FOR PARTIES AND SOCIAL PLACE FOR PARTIES AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS FOR 20 YEARS.

GATHERINGS FOR 20 YEARS.

THE STATE OF THE CONNECTICUT'S THE STATE OF THE CONNECTICUT'S DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WAS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THE TOWER IN ABLE TO PURCHASE THE TOWER IN 1966, AND ALONG WITH THE FRIENDS 1966, AND ALONG WITH THE FRIENDS OF HEUBLIEN TOWER, THEY ARE OF HEUBLIEN TOWER, THEY ARE DOING RESTORATION WORK AND DOING RESTORATION WORK AND CONTINUING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC CONTINUING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE PASSION, PRESENT, AND -- ON THE PASSION, PRESENT, AND -- PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF THIS UNIQUE STRUCTURE.

THIS UNIQUE STRUCTURE.

>> THE FRIENDS WERE FORMED IN >> THE FRIENDS WERE FORMED IN 1985 BY PAT HIGH BLIN, ONE OF 1985 BY PAT HIGH BLIN, ONE OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS.

THE FAMILY MEMBERS.

AND IT'S REALLY TO KIND OF HELP AND IT'S REALLY TO KIND OF HELP AUGMENT THE STATE AND START TO AUGMENT THE STATE AND START TO DO SOME OF THE RESTORATION WORK DO SOME OF THE RESTORATION WORK AND WE LIKE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON AND WE LIKE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THE LIFESTYLE THAT THEY HAD HERE THE LIFESTYLE THAT THEY HAD HERE AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS TO THAT AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS TO THAT ERA, AND WE LIKE TO HAVE PEOPLE ERA, AND WE LIKE TO HAVE PEOPLE HIKE UP HERE AND ENJOY THE VIEWS HIKE UP HERE AND ENJOY THE VIEWS AND FOLIAGE AND ALL THE OTHER AND FOLIAGE AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON HERE.

HERE.

>> WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE >> WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE THE HIKE.

THE HIKE.

IT'S VERY DOABLE.

IT'S VERY DOABLE.

I USUALLY TRY AND MAKE AN EFFORT I USUALLY TRY AND MAKE AN EFFORT TO NOT MISS IT.

TO NOT MISS IT.

IF I'M HERE VISITING WITH THE IF I'M HERE VISITING WITH THE PUBLIC, WITH MY STAFF, I MAKE A PUBLIC, WITH MY STAFF, I MAKE A POINT TO GO UP TO THE POINT TO GO UP TO THE OBSERVATION DECK MYSELF AND TAKE OBSERVATION DECK MYSELF AND TAKE IN THE VIEW AND APPRECIATE IT IN THE VIEW AND APPRECIATE IT JUST AS THE PUBLIC DOES.

JUST AS THE PUBLIC DOES.

SO THAT I CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND SO THAT I CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PUBLIC IS -- WHAT THE WHAT THE PUBLIC IS -- WHAT THE REWARD THAT THEY'RE SEEING AT REWARD THAT THEY'RE SEEING AT THE END OF THAT HIKE.

THE END OF THAT HIKE.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> WE'RE HERE TODAY IN THE >>> WE'RE HERE TODAY IN THE VILLAGE OF SHELBURNE FALLS AT VILLAGE OF SHELBURNE FALLS AT WHAT MAY BE ITS MOST FAMOUS WHAT MAY BE ITS MOST FAMOUS ATTRACTION T BRIDGE OF FLOWERS.

ATTRACTION T BRIDGE OF FLOWERS.

THIS FORMER TROLLEY BRIDGE THIS FORMER TROLLEY BRIDGE BOASTS A VAST ARRAY OF BEAUTIFUL BOASTS A VAST ARRAY OF BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS TO DELIGHT THE SENSE.

FLOWERS TO DELIGHT THE SENSE.

AND IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM AND IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER.

APRIL TO OCTOBER.

THE WESTERN BRANCH OF THE THE WESTERN BRANCH OF THE WESTFIELD RIVER IS HOME TO THE WESTFIELD RIVER IS HOME TO THE FIRST KEYSTONE ARCH BRIDGES FIRST KEYSTONE ARCH BRIDGES BUILT IN AMERICA.

BUILT IN AMERICA.

THIS MAG ANIENT GRANITE THIS MAG ANIENT GRANITE STRUCTURES MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR STRUCTURES MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE RAILROAD TO CROSS THE THE RAILROAD TO CROSS THE BERKSHIRES AND OPEN A LINE FROM BERKSHIRES AND OPEN A LINE FROM BOSTON TO ALBANY, NEW YORK.

BOSTON TO ALBANY, NEW YORK.

TODAY A HIKING TRAIL MAKES SOME TODAY A HIKING TRAIL MAKES SOME OF THESE BRIDGES ACCESS TONIGHT OF THESE BRIDGES ACCESS TONIGHT THE PUBLIC AND PRODUCER DAVE THE PUBLIC AND PRODUCER DAVE FRASER TAKES US THERE TO UNCOVER FRASER TAKES US THERE TO UNCOVER THE HISTORY BEHIND THE MAJESTY THE HISTORY BEHIND THE MAJESTY OF THE KEYSTONE ARCHES.

OF THE KEYSTONE ARCHES.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> ONE THING I HEAR A LOT WHEN >> ONE THING I HEAR A LOT WHEN I'M LEADING HIKES OUT HERE IS I'M LEADING HIKES OUT HERE IS JUST HOW AMAZED PEOPLE ARE THAT JUST HOW AMAZED PEOPLE ARE THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE AT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE AT ALL.

ALL.

THIS WORKMANSHIP THAT HOW COULD THIS WORKMANSHIP THAT HOW COULD THEY DO THIS OUT HERE IN THE THEY DO THIS OUT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> SECLUDED STONE BRIDGES OF >> SECLUDED STONE BRIDGES OF EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP.

EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP.

THE KEYSTONE ARCH BUILDS -- THE KEYSTONE ARCH BUILDS -- BRIDGES WERE BUILT FOR RAILROAD BRIDGES WERE BUILT FOR RAILROAD USE IN THE UNITED STATES.

USE IN THE UNITED STATES.

REACHING HEIGHTS OF 70 FEET, REACHING HEIGHTS OF 70 FEET, THEY SPAN THE WEST BRANCH OF THE THEY SPAN THE WEST BRANCH OF THE WESTFIELD RIVER AS IT WESTFIELD RIVER AS IT SERPENTINES THROUGH THE TOWNS.

SERPENTINES THROUGH THE TOWNS.

THE ARCHES WERE BUILT AROUND THE ARCHES WERE BUILT AROUND 1840 TO HELP GET THE WESTERN 1840 TO HELP GET THE WESTERN RAILROAD THROUGH THE BERKSHIRES.

RAILROAD THROUGH THE BERKSHIRES.

>> WHAT WOULD ACTUALLY STARTED >> WHAT WOULD ACTUALLY STARTED THE PUSH FOR THE WESTERN THE PUSH FOR THE WESTERN RAILROAD IT WAS CALLED FOR RAILROAD IT WAS CALLED FOR WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, WAS THE WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, WAS THE ERIE CANAL.

ERIE CANAL.

ONCE THAT OPENED UP, ALL THE ONCE THAT OPENED UP, ALL THE TRAFFIC WAS COMING FROM THE TRAFFIC WAS COMING FROM THE BEST.

BEST.

-- WEST.

-- WEST.

THEY'D GO TO ALBANY AND FLOAT THEY'D GO TO ALBANY AND FLOAT DOWN THE HUDSON RIVER TO DOWN THE HUDSON RIVER TO NEW YORK CITY AND BOSTON WAS CUT NEW YORK CITY AND BOSTON WAS CUT OUT.

OUT.

SO THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT A WAY SO THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET TO AL BABY.

TO GET TO AL BABY.

>> 10 STONEBRIDGES WERE BUILT.

>> 10 STONEBRIDGES WERE BUILT.

THREE WERE LOST TO FLOODS AND THREE WERE LOST TO FLOODS AND SEVEN REMAIN, SOME STILL IN USE SEVEN REMAIN, SOME STILL IN USE BY THE RAILROAD.

BY THE RAILROAD.

MAJOR GEORGE WASHINGTON MAJOR GEORGE WASHINGTON WHISTLER, AND WILLIAM GIBBS WHISTLER, AND WILLIAM GIBBS McNEIL WERE THE CHIEF McNEIL WERE THE CHIEF ENGINEERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENGINEERS RESPONSIBLE FOR DESIGNING THE BRIDGES.

DESIGNING THE BRIDGES.

REFERRED TO BY SOME AS AMERICAN REFERRED TO BY SOME AS AMERICAN CRTDZS.

CRTDZS.

-- CATHEDRALS.

-- CATHEDRALS.

>> HE WAS SURVEY OGHORSEBACK.

>> HE WAS SURVEY OGHORSEBACK.

THEY WERE DOING THINGS LIKE THEY WERE DOING THINGS LIKE BUILDING TOWERS SO THEY COULD BUILDING TOWERS SO THEY COULD SEE ALL THE TREES, LIGHTING SEE ALL THE TREES, LIGHTING FIRES AT NIGHT AND THE NEXT FIRES AT NIGHT AND THE NEXT HILLSIDE SO THEY COULD SPOT HER HILLSIDE SO THEY COULD SPOT HER THEY WERE HEADING AND SPOT WHEN THEY WERE HEADING AND SPOT WHEN THEY WERE SURVEYING.

THEY WERE SURVEYING.

IT WAS PRETTY INNOVATIVE.

IT WAS PRETTY INNOVATIVE.

>> MUCH IS ON DISPLAY AT THE >> MUCH IS ON DISPLAY AT THE CHESTER RAIL MUSEUM, BUT FOR AN CHESTER RAIL MUSEUM, BUT FOR AN UPCLOSE LOOK, VISITORS CAN HIKE UPCLOSE LOOK, VISITORS CAN HIKE THE KEYSTONE ARCH BRIDGES TAIL.

THE KEYSTONE ARCH BRIDGES TAIL.

DAVE PIERCE TOOK ME ON A TOUR DAVE PIERCE TOOK ME ON A TOUR RECENTLY.

RECENTLY.

>> THE WALKING WEST ALONG THE >> THE WALKING WEST ALONG THE KEYSTONE ARCH BRIDGES TRAIL.

KEYSTONE ARCH BRIDGES TRAIL.

THE FIRST BRIDGE IS THE COUPLE THE FIRST BRIDGE IS THE COUPLE ARCH -- DOUBLE ARCH.

ARCH -- DOUBLE ARCH.

IT'S THE ONLY DOUBLE SPAN IN THE IT'S THE ONLY DOUBLE SPAN IN THE SYSTEM.

SYSTEM.

THIS IS THE BANK -- AVERAGE.

THIS IS THE BANK -- AVERAGE.

THE LAST ONE STILL IN EXISTENCE THE LAST ONE STILL IN EXISTENCE IN THE SERIES.

IN THE SERIES.

IT SHARES THAT FIVE KEYSTONE IT SHARES THAT FIVE KEYSTONE CLUSTER WITH THE DOUBLE WE WERE CLUSTER WITH THE DOUBLE WE WERE JUST LOOKING AT.

JUST LOOKING AT.

WE'RE NOW AT THE 65-FOOT ARCH.

WE'RE NOW AT THE 65-FOOT ARCH.

THIS IS THE SECOND HIGHEST THIS IS THE SECOND HIGHEST BRIDGE IN THE SERIES THAT STILL BRIDGE IN THE SERIES THAT STILL VIFTS.

VIFTS.

-- EXISTS.

-- EXISTS.

WE'RE NOW AT WHAT WE HAVE WE'RE NOW AT WHAT WE HAVE LABELED THE GATOR TALE ARCH.

LABELED THE GATOR TALE ARCH.

THAT'S DUE TO THE VERY THAT'S DUE TO THE VERY DISTINCTIVE RIN STONES YOU CAN DISTINCTIVE RIN STONES YOU CAN SEE.

SEE.

THEY'RE ALL POINTED LIKE THE THEY'RE ALL POINTED LIKE THE TALE OF AN ALLIGATOR.

TALE OF AN ALLIGATOR.

WE'RE NOW AT THE 70-FOOT ARCH WE'RE NOW AT THE 70-FOOT ARCH AND THE LOGICAL PROGRESSION OF AND THE LOGICAL PROGRESSION OF THE TRAIL HIKING WEST.

THE TRAIL HIKING WEST.

THIS IS THE CLIMAX.

THIS IS THE CLIMAX.

EACH BRIDGE GETS A LITTLE EACH BRIDGE GETS A LITTLE HIGHER, A LITTLE MORE HIGHER, A LITTLE MORE SPECTACULAR.

SPECTACULAR.

>> OVER THE YEARS THE KEYSTONE >> OVER THE YEARS THE KEYSTONE ARCHES HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT, ARCHES HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT, PHOTOGRAPHED, HIKED ON, AND PHOTOGRAPHED, HIKED ON, AND EXPLORED.

EXPLORED.

RECENTLY BOTH THE ARCHES AND THE RECENTLY BOTH THE ARCHES AND THE CHESTER RAIL MUSEUM, BUILT IN CHESTER RAIL MUSEUM, BUILT IN 1862, WHY RECOMMENDED FOR -- 1862, WHY RECOMMENDED FOR -- WERE RECOMMENDED FOR NATIONAL WERE RECOMMENDED FOR NATIONAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION.

LANDMARK DESIGNATION.

>> ORIGINALLY TWO WOMEN IN >> ORIGINALLY TWO WOMEN IN MIDDLEFIELD GOT THEM ON THE MIDDLEFIELD GOT THEM ON THE HISTORIC REGISTER.

HISTORIC REGISTER.

AND SINCE THEN THEY'VE BEEN AND SINCE THEN THEY'VE BEEN LISTED IN THE HISTORIC AMERICAN LISTED IN THE HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD AT THE ENGINEERING RECORD AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

AND JUST RECENTLY WE GOT AND JUST RECENTLY WE GOT NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS FOR TWO OF THEM.

STATUS FOR TWO OF THEM.

SO THAT'S THE HIGHEST SO THAT'S THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION, THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION, THE HIGHEST DESIGNATION THAT THERE IS UP IN DESIGNATION THAT THERE IS UP IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE WHITE HOUSE OR THE WASHINGTON WHITE HOUSE OR THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

MONUMENT.

>> THE TRAIL NOT ONLY TAKES >> THE TRAIL NOT ONLY TAKES VISITORS TO THE FIRST SERIES OF VISITORS TO THE FIRST SERIES OF STONE ARCH RAILROAD BRIDGES STONE ARCH RAILROAD BRIDGES BUILT IN AMERICA BUT TRACKS THE BUILT IN AMERICA BUT TRACKS THE FIRST WILD AND SCENIC RIVER IN FIRST WILD AND SCENIC RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS ALL WITHIN THE MASSACHUSETTS ALL WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH'S LARGEST ROADS COMMONWEALTH'S LARGEST ROADS WILL WILDERNESS.

WILL WILDERNESS.

IN THE ERA OF COVID, THE TRAIL IN THE ERA OF COVID, THE TRAIL HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN VISITORS.

VISITORS.

SOMETHING DAVE PIERCE WELCOMES.

SOMETHING DAVE PIERCE WELCOMES.

>> THEY NEVER FAIL TO BLOW ME >> THEY NEVER FAIL TO BLOW ME AWAY.

AWAY.

AND THEY'RE DIFFERENT IN EVERY AND THEY'RE DIFFERENT IN EVERY SEASON, EVERY LIGHTING, AND IT'S SEASON, EVERY LIGHTING, AND IT'S JUST -- IT'S ALSO WONDERFUL TO JUST -- IT'S ALSO WONDERFUL TO SEE THE REACTION OF OTHER PEOPLE SEE THE REACTION OF OTHER PEOPLE WHEN YOU'RE BRINGING THEM DOWN WHEN YOU'RE BRINGING THEM DOWN HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND YOU HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND YOU THINK, WOW!

THINK, WOW!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> AND IF YOU ENJOYED THAT STORY >> AND IF YOU ENJOYED THAT STORY ABOUT BRIDGES MADE OF STONE, WE ABOUT BRIDGES MADE OF STONE, WE HOPE YOU'LL ENJOY THIS ONE ABOUT HOPE YOU'LL ENJOY THIS ONE ABOUT BRIDGES MADE OF WOOD.

BRIDGES MADE OF WOOD.

FEW STRUCTURES IN AMERICA FEW STRUCTURES IN AMERICA COMBINE ARCHITECTURAL COMBINE ARCHITECTURAL ENGJENIT -- ENGINE IT, ECONOMIC ENGJENIT -- ENGINE IT, ECONOMIC NECESSITY, AND ROMANTIC IDEALISM NECESSITY, AND ROMANTIC IDEALISM BETTER THAN THE COVERED BRIDGE.

BETTER THAN THE COVERED BRIDGE.

TODAY THERE ARE OVER 100 TODAY THERE ARE OVER 100 AUTHENTIC COVERED BRIDGES IN THE AUTHENTIC COVERED BRIDGES IN THE STATE OF VERMONT, GIVING IT THE STATE OF VERMONT, GIVING IT THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF COVERED HIGHEST NUMBER OF COVERED BRIDGES PER SQUARE MILE IN THE BRIDGES PER SQUARE MILE IN THE UNITED STATES.

UNITED STATES.

AND JUST OVER THE BORDER IN AND JUST OVER THE BORDER IN BENNINGTON COUNTY, YOU'LL FIND BENNINGTON COUNTY, YOU'LL FIND FIVE OF THESE NEW ENGLAND FIVE OF THESE NEW ENGLAND LANDMARKS.

LANDMARKS.

PRODUCER DAVE FRASER PAID A PRODUCER DAVE FRASER PAID A VISIT TO THE GREEN MOUNTAIN VISIT TO THE GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE TO FIND OUT MORE.

STATE TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> I THINK THE FACT THAT THEY'RE >> I THINK THE FACT THAT THEY'RE STILL IN USE, THEY'RE NOT STILL IN USE, THEY'RE NOT MONUMENTS.

MONUMENTS.

THE HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGES THE HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGES HERE IN MOST CASES HAVE HERE IN MOST CASES HAVE OUTLASTED STEEL BRIDGES.

OUTLASTED STEEL BRIDGES.

THE STEEL BRIDGES RUST.

THE STEEL BRIDGES RUST.

YOU LOOK AT THE BRIDGES IN THE YOU LOOK AT THE BRIDGES IN THE INTERSTATES THAT HAVE FALLEN INTERSTATES THAT HAVE FALLEN DOWN, CONCRETE.

DOWN, CONCRETE.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER BEEN I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A COVERED AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A COVERED BRIDGE FAILING.

BRIDGE FAILING.

THE PURPOSE WAS TO PRESERVE THE THE PURPOSE WAS TO PRESERVE THE BRIDGE SURFACE.

BRIDGE SURFACE.

ONE OF THE GREAT MYTHS IS THAT ONE OF THE GREAT MYTHS IS THAT IT WAS TO KEEP THE SNOW OFF THE IT WAS TO KEEP THE SNOW OFF THE BRIDGE.

BRIDGE.

IT WAS THE OPPOSITE.

IT WAS THE OPPOSITE.

YOU HAD TO SNOW THE BRIDGE IN YOU HAD TO SNOW THE BRIDGE IN THE WINTER SO THE SHREDS COULD THE WINTER SO THE SHREDS COULD GO THROUGH.

GO THROUGH.

AND THAT WAS -- SLEDS COULD GO AND THAT WAS -- SLEDS COULD GO THROUGH.

THROUGH.

AND THAT WAS CALLED SNOWING THE AND THAT WAS CALLED SNOWING THE BRIDGE.

BRIDGE.

AND THE FACT THEY WERE BUILT AND THE FACT THEY WERE BUILT WITHOUT ANY HEAVY EQUIPMENT, WITHOUT ANY HEAVY EQUIPMENT, NOBODY HAD A BACKHOE OR CRANES NOBODY HAD A BACKHOE OR CRANES OR ANYTHING.

OR ANYTHING.

AND SOMEHOW THEY WORKED WITH AND SOMEHOW THEY WORKED WITH TEAMS OF HORSES, PULL UP THE TEAMS OF HORSES, PULL UP THE TRUSSES AND GET THEM BUILT.

TRUSSES AND GET THEM BUILT.

>> IN CERMT THERE ONCE WAS OVER >> IN CERMT THERE ONCE WAS OVER 600 -- VERMONT THERE ONCE WAS 600 -- VERMONT THERE ONCE WAS OVER 600.

OVER 600.

WE NOW THINK THE NUMBER IS WE NOW THINK THE NUMBER IS 103 1/2.

103 1/2.

THE HALF GO ACROSS THE RIVERS IN THE HALF GO ACROSS THE RIVERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

WE ONLY CLAIM HALF OF THOSE.

WE ONLY CLAIM HALF OF THOSE.

THE ORIGINAL TRUST DE -- TRUSS THE ORIGINAL TRUST DE -- TRUSS DESIGN IN THE OLD BARNS WAS THE DESIGN IN THE OLD BARNS WAS THE SAME USED TO BUILD THE FIRST SAME USED TO BUILD THE FIRST COVERED BRIDGES.

COVERED BRIDGES.

AS THEY WANTED TO BUILD LONGER AS THEY WANTED TO BUILD LONGER AND LONGER COVERED BRIDGES, THEY AND LONGER COVERED BRIDGES, THEY HAD TO GO WITH THESE DIFFERENT HAD TO GO WITH THESE DIFFERENT KIND OF TRUSSES.

KIND OF TRUSSES.

WE FIND WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, WE FIND WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, THEY ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY THEY ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY FASCINATED WITH THE WAY THIS AL FASCINATED WITH THE WAY THIS AL CAME ABOUT.

CAME ABOUT.

OUR -- ALL CAME ABOUT.

OUR -- ALL CAME ABOUT.

OUR LATE SENATOR JIM JEFFERS GOT OUR LATE SENATOR JIM JEFFERS GOT A $10 MILLION BILL PUT THROUGH A $10 MILLION BILL PUT THROUGH CONGRESS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CONGRESS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF COVERED BRIDGES.

COVERED BRIDGES.

AND THAT'S ONE REASON WHY, THE AND THAT'S ONE REASON WHY, THE ONES THAT GOT DAMAGED ALWAYS GET ONES THAT GOT DAMAGED ALWAYS GET RESTORED.

RESTORED.

THEY'RE A TOP PRIORITY.

THEY'RE A TOP PRIORITY.

I THINK THE FACT THAT YOU CAN I THINK THE FACT THAT YOU CAN DRIVE THROUGH THEM, YOU CAN WALK DRIVE THROUGH THEM, YOU CAN WALK THROUGH THEM, A LOT OF PEOPLE THROUGH THEM, A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL PETITION THEIR TOWN TO SHUT WILL PETITION THEIR TOWN TO SHUT DOWN THEIR COVERED BRIDGE FOR AN DOWN THEIR COVERED BRIDGE FOR AN AFTERNOON OF SOMETHING, TO HAVE AFTERNOON OF SOMETHING, TO HAVE A WEDDING IN THE COVERED BRIDGE.

A WEDDING IN THE COVERED BRIDGE.

AND I THINK PEOPLE THAT ARE USED AND I THINK PEOPLE THAT ARE USED TO THE MODERN WORLD AND DON'T TO THE MODERN WORLD AND DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT WAS BUILT 150, THINK ABOUT WHAT WAS BUILT 150, 200 YEARS AGO, WHEN THEY SEE 200 YEARS AGO, WHEN THEY SEE WHAT WAS BUILT, HOW IT WAS WHAT WAS BUILT, HOW IT WAS BUILT, AND HOW WELL THEY'VE BUILT, AND HOW WELL THEY'VE STOOD UP, I -- ARE FASCINATED BY STOOD UP, I -- ARE FASCINATED BY IT.

IT.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> EVERY WEEK "CONNECTING >>> EVERY WEEK "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

CONTENT.

THE HISTORICAL STRUCTURES IN THE HISTORICAL STRUCTURES IN BENNINGTON, VERMONT, GO FAR BENNINGTON, VERMONT, GO FAR BEYOND JUST COVERED BRIDGES AND BEYOND JUST COVERED BRIDGES AND LEAD BACK TO THE VERY FOUNDATION LEAD BACK TO THE VERY FOUNDATION OF OUR NATION.

OF OUR NATION.

ON AUGUST 17, 1777, BRIGADIER ON AUGUST 17, 1777, BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN STARK AND HIS MEN GENERAL JOHN STARK AND HIS MEN DEFEATED THE BRIDGE ARMY IN WHAT DEFEATED THE BRIDGE ARMY IN WHAT BECAME KNOWN AS THE -- BRITISH BECAME KNOWN AS THE -- BRITISH ARM IN WHAT BECAME KNOWN AS THE ARM IN WHAT BECAME KNOWN AS THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.

BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER -- A MONUMENT EXECUTIVE PRODUCER -- A MONUMENT WAS ERECTED IN 1818 TO WAS ERECTED IN 1818 TO COMMEMORATE THIS BATTLE.

COMMEMORATE THIS BATTLE.

>> THEY -- 1889 TO COMMEMORATE >> THEY -- 1889 TO COMMEMORATE THIS BATTLE.

THIS BATTLE.

>> THEY LOST ABOUT 200 MEN.

>> THEY LOST ABOUT 200 MEN.

WE LOST ABOUT 25.

WE LOST ABOUT 25.

BUT WE CAPTURED ABOUT 700.

BUT WE CAPTURED ABOUT 700.

I THINK IT WAS JEFFERSON WHO I THINK IT WAS JEFFERSON WHO SAID, THE BATTLE THAT WAS FOUGHT SAID, THE BATTLE THAT WAS FOUGHT AT BENNINGTON WAS THE FIRST LINK AT BENNINGTON WAS THE FIRST LINK IN A LON CHAINS OF EVENT THAT IS IN A LON CHAINS OF EVENT THAT IS WOULD BRING ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF WOULD BRING ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF AMERICA AND WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.

AMERICA AND WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.

>> YOU CAN FIND THAT DPIEJ >> YOU CAN FIND THAT DPIEJ EXCLUSIVE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT EXCLUSIVE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> WE'VE BEEN COMING TO YOU >>> WE'VE BEEN COMING TO YOU TODAY FROM THE VILLAGE OF SHE TODAY FROM THE VILLAGE OF SHE WILL BUREN FALSESES, AND -- WILL BUREN FALSESES, AND -- SHELBURNE FALLS, AND OUR NEXT SHELBURNE FALLS, AND OUR NEXT STORY COMES FROM JUST A FEW STORY COMES FROM JUST A FEW TOWNS OVER.

TOWNS OVER.

RICHARD RICHARDSON RUNS AN RICHARD RICHARDSON RUNS AN ANTIQUE SHOP IN GOSHEN, ANTIQUE SHOP IN GOSHEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

RICHARDSON HAS CREATED A RICHARDSON HAS CREATED A SPRAWLING ART ENVIRONMENT HE SPRAWLING ART ENVIRONMENT HE CALLS THREE SISTERS EVENING CALLS THREE SISTERS EVENING SUE -- SANCTUARY.

SUE -- SANCTUARY.

IT COMBINES PERENNIAL PLANTINGS, IT COMBINES PERENNIAL PLANTINGS, BUTTERFLY GARDENS, WORKS BY BUTTERFLY GARDENS, WORKS BY LOCAL ARTISTS, AND A FIRE LOCAL ARTISTS, AND A FIRE BREATHING DRAGON.

BREATHING DRAGON.

"CONNECTING POINT'S" DAVE FRASER "CONNECTING POINT'S" DAVE FRASER TAKES US THERE.

TAKES US THERE.

>> SOMETIMES IN LIFE, IT'S YEAR >> SOMETIMES IN LIFE, IT'S YEAR WHAT YOUR PURPOSE IS.

WHAT YOUR PURPOSE IS.

IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, DESTINY IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, DESTINY DROVE ME TO THE LAND OF GAUCHE DROVE ME TO THE LAND OF GAUCHE AND MY PURPOSE IN LIFE HAS BEEN AND MY PURPOSE IN LIFE HAS BEEN TO BUILD THESE GARDENS AS TO BUILD THESE GARDENS AS HEALING GARDENS FOR THE PUBLIC.

HEALING GARDENS FOR THE PUBLIC.

MY NAME IS RICHARD M. MY NAME IS RICHARD M. RICHARDSON.

RICHARDSON.

I AM THE CREATOR AND CARETAKER I AM THE CREATOR AND CARETAKER OF THE THREE SISTERS SANCTUARY, OF THE THREE SISTERS SANCTUARY, IN GOSHEN, MASS.

IN GOSHEN, MASS.

DESTINY BROUGHT ME TO GOSHEN.

DESTINY BROUGHT ME TO GOSHEN.

WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BEING IN WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BEING IN MASSACHUSETTS, I DROVE THROUGH MASSACHUSETTS, I DROVE THROUGH THE TOWN AND I FELT INSTANTLY IN THE TOWN AND I FELT INSTANTLY IN LOVE WITH IT AND I THOUGHT IF I LOVE WITH IT AND I THOUGHT IF I COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, THIS WOULD COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, THIS WOULD BE IT.

BE IT.

UNFORTUNATELY, FOR ME, I LOST MY UNFORTUNATELY, FOR ME, I LOST MY ELDEST DAUGHTER AND SHE GAVE ME ELDEST DAUGHTER AND SHE GAVE ME THE VISION TO CALL IT THE THREE THE VISION TO CALL IT THE THREE SISTERS AND TO CONTINUE TO BUILD SISTERS AND TO CONTINUE TO BUILD IT.

IT.

NATURE ITSELF HAS BEEN MY NATURE ITSELF HAS BEEN MY COLLABORATOR THROUGH THE ENTIRE COLLABORATOR THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROJECT.

PROJECT.

SO EVERYTHING THAT I DO AS AN SO EVERYTHING THAT I DO AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ARTIST TAKES SO ENVIRONMENTAL ARTIST TAKES SO LONG, THAT BY THE TIME I'M DONE LONG, THAT BY THE TIME I'M DONE WITH THAT ONE SECTION, SOMETHING WITH THAT ONE SECTION, SOMETHING IS DICTATING WHAT I'M SUPPOSED IS DICTATING WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING NEXT.

TO BE DOING NEXT.

I'D LIKE TO TAKE ALL THE CREDIT I'D LIKE TO TAKE ALL THE CREDIT FOR IT BEING MY IMAGINATION, BUT FOR IT BEING MY IMAGINATION, BUT I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING CHANNELED.

I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING CHANNELED.

AND IT'S ALWAYS PRETTY CLEAR TO AND IT'S ALWAYS PRETTY CLEAR TO ME WHAT I'M GONNA BE DOING NEXT.

ME WHAT I'M GONNA BE DOING NEXT.

I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MY I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MY PURPOSE IN LIFE.

PURPOSE IN LIFE.

AND I KEEP PUTTING IT OUT TO THE AND I KEEP PUTTING IT OUT TO THE UNIVERSE, WITH THE BELIEF THAT UNIVERSE, WITH THE BELIEF THAT SOMEHOW IT'S ALL GOING TO FALL SOMEHOW IT'S ALL GOING TO FALL INTO PLACE.

INTO PLACE.

PHYSICALLY DOING IT, GOOD THING PHYSICALLY DOING IT, GOOD THING I STARTED WHEN I WAS 44 YEARS I STARTED WHEN I WAS 44 YEARS OLD.

OLD.

THAT'S ALL I GOTTA SAY, YOU THAT'S ALL I GOTTA SAY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE AS I AM GETTING KNOW, BECAUSE AS I AM GETTING OLDER, I AM DISCOVERING THAT OLDER, I AM DISCOVERING THAT IT'S A LITTLE BIT HARDER IT'S A LITTLE BIT HARDER PHYSICALLY THAN IT USED TO BE.

PHYSICALLY THAN IT USED TO BE.

BUT OWNER, I LOVE, I -- ON THE BUT OWNER, I LOVE, I -- ON THE OTHER HAND, I LOVE, I LOVE OTHER HAND, I LOVE, I LOVE CREATING WITH NATURE AND I LOVE CREATING WITH NATURE AND I LOVE TAKING THESE BEAUTIFUL STONES TAKING THESE BEAUTIFUL STONES AND STANDING THEM UP.

AND STANDING THEM UP.

SO IT REALLY INSPIRES ME TO -- SO IT REALLY INSPIRES ME TO -- TO PUT IN WHATEVER LABOR AND TO PUT IN WHATEVER LABOR AND WHATEVER MONEY IT TAKES TO MAKE WHATEVER MONEY IT TAKES TO MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN SO THAT THE THE MAGIC HAPPEN SO THAT THE SANCTUARY CAN BE A GIFT TO THE SANCTUARY CAN BE A GIFT TO THE PIONEER VALLEY.

PIONEER VALLEY.

MOST PEOPLE COME AND THEY ARE MOST PEOPLE COME AND THEY ARE VERY MOVED BY IT.

VERY MOVED BY IT.

AND THEY FEEL THAT THIS IS A AND THEY FEEL THAT THIS IS A GIFT THAT THEY COULDN'T IMAGINE GIFT THAT THEY COULDN'T IMAGINE WAS HERE AND THAT -- THEY'VE WAS HERE AND THAT -- THEY'VE DISCOVERED IT.

DISCOVERED IT.

THEN SOME PEOPLE COME AND THEY THEN SOME PEOPLE COME AND THEY JUST THINK I'M A VERY ECCENTRIC JUST THINK I'M A VERY ECCENTRIC MAN AND THEY DON'T QUITE GET MAN AND THEY DON'T QUITE GET WHAT IT'S ABOUT AND THEY SHAKE WHAT IT'S ABOUT AND THEY SHAKE THEIR USUAL AND -- HEAD AND THEIR USUAL AND -- HEAD AND USUALLY THEY DON'T SPEND MUCH USUALLY THEY DON'T SPEND MUCH TIME HERE.

TIME HERE.

IT'S LIKE GOING TO A MUSEUM.

IT'S LIKE GOING TO A MUSEUM.

GO TO MASS MOCKO.

GO TO MASS MOCKO.

EITHER YOU GET IT OR YOU DON'T EITHER YOU GET IT OR YOU DON'T GET IT.

GET IT.

BUT THE MORE YOU GO THE MORE YOU BUT THE MORE YOU GO THE MORE YOU GET IT.

GET IT.

AND THAT'S HOW ART IT IS.

AND THAT'S HOW ART IT IS.

THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE IT, IT THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE IT, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY TALK TO YOU.

DOESN'T NECESSARILY TALK TO YOU.

BUT THE MORE EXPOSURE TO IT, THE BUT THE MORE EXPOSURE TO IT, THE MORE IT DOES SPEAK TO YOU.

MORE IT DOES SPEAK TO YOU.

IN THE CASE I DON'T KNOW HOW IN THE CASE I DON'T KNOW HOW NATURE CAN'T SPEAK TO YOU.

NATURE CAN'T SPEAK TO YOU.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL COLLABORATION THAT IS HAPPENING COLLABORATION THAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

HERE.

I'M NOT DONE.

I'M NOT DONE.

THIS WILL PROBABLY GO ON TORE THIS WILL PROBABLY GO ON TORE THE REST OF MY LIFE.

THE REST OF MY LIFE.

-- FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

-- FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, I HOPE THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, I HOPE WILL BE A GIFT TO THE PIONEER WILL BE A GIFT TO THE PIONEER VALLEY, TO WESTERN VALLEY, TO WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE WILL COME I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE WILL COME AND ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS I'VE AND ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS I'VE ENJOYED BUILDINGS IT.

ENJOYED BUILDINGS IT.

IT'S A MAGICAL SPACE, NO MATTER IT'S A MAGICAL SPACE, NO MATTER WHICH KERN YOU TURN AROUND.

WHICH KERN YOU TURN AROUND.

-- ERN -- CORNER YOU TURN -- ERN -- CORNER YOU TURN AROUND, THERE'S SOMETHING YOU'LL AROUND, THERE'S SOMETHING YOU'LL SEE THAT WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH SEE THAT WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY.

AWAY.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> BELOVED BY HIKERS AND THOSE >>> BELOVED BY HIKERS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THE OUTDOORS, WHO LOVE THE OUTDOORS, MASSACHUSETTS' MOUNT GREYLOCK MASSACHUSETTS' MOUNT GREYLOCK HAS INSPIRED EVERYONE FROM RALPH HAS INSPIRED EVERYONE FROM RALPH WALDO EMERSON TO HER MEN WALDO EMERSON TO HER MEN MELVILLE.

MELVILLE.

A MAGICAL SPOT FOR MANY.

A MAGICAL SPOT FOR MANY.

FOR OTHERS IT WAS JUST ANOTHER FOR OTHERS IT WAS JUST ANOTHER MOUN TOMORROW ALONG THE TACONIC MOUN TOMORROW ALONG THE TACONIC MOUNTAIN RANGE, UNTIL A HANDFUL MOUNTAIN RANGE, UNTIL A HANDFUL OF FOLKS WERE MOTIVATED TO OF FOLKS WERE MOTIVATED TO CREATE THE STATE PARK THAT WE CREATE THE STATE PARK THAT WE CAN ALL ENJOY TODAY.

CAN ALL ENJOY TODAY.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER TONY LECHNER EXECUTIVE PRODUCER TONY LECHNER CLIMBED -- TONY DUNNE CLIMBED CLIMBED -- TONY DUNNE CLIMBED THE STATE'S HIGHEST PEAK TO THE STATE'S HIGHEST PEAK TO UNCOVER ITS HISTORY.

UNCOVER ITS HISTORY.

>> THE HISTORY RUNS SO DEEP WHEN >> THE HISTORY RUNS SO DEEP WHEN JEREMIAH WILL BUREAU ARRIVED JEREMIAH WILL BUREAU ARRIVED FROM A FARM IN RHODE ISLAND.

FROM A FARM IN RHODE ISLAND.

AND SETTLING IN WHAT WE CALL THE AND SETTLING IN WHAT WE CALL THE BELLOWS PIPE OR THE NOTCH AT THE BELLOWS PIPE OR THE NOTCH AT THE NORTH END OF WHAT IS NOW MOUNT NORTH END OF WHAT IS NOW MOUNT GREYLOCK STATE RESERVATION.

GREYLOCK STATE RESERVATION.

AND IN THAT TIME IT WOULD HAVE AND IN THAT TIME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE OR LESS VERY WILD AND BEEN MORE OR LESS VERY WILD AND STILL SOMEWHAT PRIMEVAL.

STILL SOMEWHAT PRIMEVAL.

AND VARIABLIA COBBLED TOGETHER AND VARIABLIA COBBLED TOGETHER A -- JEREMIAH COBBLED TOGETHER A A -- JEREMIAH COBBLED TOGETHER A 1600-ACRE FARM COMPRISING MOST 1600-ACRE FARM COMPRISING MOST OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGE, INCLUDING THE MOUNTAIN RANGE, INCLUDING THE SUMMIT.

SUMMIT.

IN FACT, TO THIS DAY, WE CALL IN FACT, TO THIS DAY, WE CALL ONE AREA ALONG NOTCH ROAD WILL ONE AREA ALONG NOTCH ROAD WILL ENTER'S CLEARING.

ENTER'S CLEARING.

-- WILBUR'S CLEARING.

-- WILBUR'S CLEARING.

400 ACRES THAT HAD ORIGINALLY 400 ACRES THAT HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN PART OF JEREMIAH'S LARGE BEEN PART OF JEREMIAH'S LARGE FARM HOLDINGS WERE SOLD TO A FARM HOLDINGS WERE SOLD TO A GROUP OF NORTHERN BISHOP GROUP OF NORTHERN BISHOP BUSINESSMEN WHO WENT UNDER THE BUSINESSMEN WHO WENT UNDER THE NAME OF THE GREYLOCK PARK NAME OF THE GREYLOCK PARK ASSOCIATION.

ASSOCIATION.

THEY ESSENTIALLY CREATED THEY ESSENTIALLY CREATED INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTED INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTED TIRISM -- TOURISM, A VIEWING TIRISM -- TOURISM, A VIEWING TOWER, AN OPEN METAL FRAMED TOWER, AN OPEN METAL FRAMED TOURIST TOWER, A SUMMIT HOUSE, TOURIST TOWER, A SUMMIT HOUSE, AND A COACH FROM NORTH ADAMS.

AND A COACH FROM NORTH ADAMS.

AND A ROADWAY SYSTEM.

AND A ROADWAY SYSTEM.

AND THAT ROADWAY SYSTEM WAS AND THAT ROADWAY SYSTEM WAS ACTUALLY A TOLL ROAD.

ACTUALLY A TOLL ROAD.

THE FINAL MILE FROM BELOW THE THE FINAL MILE FROM BELOW THE SUMMIT TO THE TOP.

SUMMIT TO THE TOP.

AND YOU HAD EACH VISITOR HAD TO AND YOU HAD EACH VISITOR HAD TO PAY A FEE.

PAY A FEE.

MUCH AS WE CONTINUE TO CHARGE A MUCH AS WE CONTINUE TO CHARGE A FEE IN ORDER TO, YOU KNOW, PAY FEE IN ORDER TO, YOU KNOW, PAY THE COSTS.

THE COSTS.

AND SO IN THAT SENSE, MOUNT AND SO IN THAT SENSE, MOUNT GREYLOCK PLAYED A VERY GREYLOCK PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT, VERY KEY ROLE IN THE IMPORTANT, VERY KEY ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND INDUSTRY IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND THE REGION T. THREE FOUNDING THE REGION T. THREE FOUNDING FATHERS OF MOUNT GREYLOCK, JOHN FATHERS OF MOUNT GREYLOCK, JOHN BASKIM, BEING THE MOST BASKIM, BEING THE MOST PROMINENT, TO MANY TODAY, PROMINENT, TO MANY TODAY, BECAUSE BASKIM LODGE WAS NAMED BECAUSE BASKIM LODGE WAS NAMED IN HIS HONOR.

IN HIS HONOR.

AND HE WAS IS VERY FIRST -- WAS AND HE WAS IS VERY FIRST -- WAS THE VERY FIRST GENTLEMAN TO BE THE VERY FIRST GENTLEMAN TO BE AINTEREST POOED TO THE GUY LOCK AINTEREST POOED TO THE GUY LOCK COMMISSION.

COMMISSION.

AND FRANCIS ROCKWELL FOR WHOM AND FRANCIS ROCKWELL FOR WHOM ROCKWELL ROAD, THE ROAD GOING ROCKWELL ROAD, THE ROAD GOING SOUTH FROM THE SUMMIT TO SOUTH FROM THE SUMMIT TO WAYNESBORO, WAS NAMED, FOLLOWED WAYNESBORO, WAS NAMED, FOLLOWED BY SPERRY ROAD, NAMED IN HONOR BY SPERRY ROAD, NAMED IN HONOR OF WILLIAM SPERRY, ONE OF THE OF WILLIAM SPERRY, ONE OF THE ORIGINAL COMMISSIONERS THAT ORIGINAL COMMISSIONERS THAT OPERATED THIS PARK.

OPERATED THIS PARK.

THAT LEADS THROUGH OUR THAT LEADS THROUGH OUR CAMPGROUND OUT TO A SCENIC CAMPGROUND OUT TO A SCENIC OVERLOOK CALLED STONEY LEDGE.

OVERLOOK CALLED STONEY LEDGE.

BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE NATURAL BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE NATURAL SETTING, AND ELEVATION AND SETTING, AND ELEVATION AND LATITUDE OF THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT LATITUDE OF THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT GREYLOCK, IT REALLY RETAINS RARE GREYLOCK, IT REALLY RETAINS RARE ELEMENTS OF PLANT LIFE, ELEMENTS OF PLANT LIFE, WILDLIFE, AND JUST A PHYSICAL WILDLIFE, AND JUST A PHYSICAL SETTING THAT IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER SETTING THAT IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THIS PART OF NEW ENGLAND.

IN THIS PART OF NEW ENGLAND.

HENRY DAVID THAT YOURO -- HENRY DAVID THAT YOURO -- THOREAU COUNTY A DOUBT -- COUNTY THOREAU COUNTY A DOUBT -- COUNTY A -- WITHOUT A DOUBT IS THE MOST A -- WITHOUT A DOUBT IS THE MOST FAMOUS.

FAMOUS.

HE ARRIVED HERE IN JULY OF 1844 HE ARRIVED HERE IN JULY OF 1844 AND THE TRANSMORMTIVE EXPERIENCE AND THE TRANSMORMTIVE EXPERIENCE THAT HENRY THOREAU HAD HERE ON THAT HENRY THOREAU HAD HERE ON MOUNT GREYLOCK I BELIEVE IS MOUNT GREYLOCK I BELIEVE IS SOMETHING THAT CONTINUES TO SOMETHING THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE VISITORS TODAY.

INSPIRE VISITORS TODAY.

JAMES McCARTHER VANCE IS JAMES McCARTHER VANCE IS ANOTHER FASCINATING PERSONALITY ANOTHER FASCINATING PERSONALITY THAT REALLY HAS LEFT HIS MARK IN THAT REALLY HAS LEFT HIS MARK IN MANY WAYS ALL OVER THE SUMMIT OF MANY WAYS ALL OVER THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT GREYLOCK.

MOUNT GREYLOCK.

HE WAS INVOLVED WITH THE HE WAS INVOLVED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WAR MEMORIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE WAR MEMORIAL TOWER IN 1931 AND THE MEMORIAL TOWER IN 1931 AND THE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH COMMITTEE WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH HIS WORK, THAT THEY HIRED HIM TO HIS WORK, THAT THEY HIRED HIM TO BE THE ARCHITECT, DESIGNING THE BE THE ARCHITECT, DESIGNING THE BASKIM LIVE TEAM COVERAGE BASKIM LIVE TEAM COVERAGE ADDITION WHEN THE TIME CAME TO ADDITION WHEN THE TIME CAME TO CONSTRUCT IT.

CONSTRUCT IT.

AND MANY YEARS PRIOR TO THIS HE AND MANY YEARS PRIOR TO THIS HE HAD LEFT HIS MARK IN PITTSFIELD HAD LEFT HIS MARK IN PITTSFIELD AS THE ARCHITECT OF WHAT IS NOW AS THE ARCHITECT OF WHAT IS NOW THE FAMOUS COLONIAL THEATER.

THE FAMOUS COLONIAL THEATER.

MOUNT GREYLOCK HAS ACHIEVED SUCH MOUNT GREYLOCK HAS ACHIEVED SUCH A HIGH-PROFILE AS A RECREATIONAL A HIGH-PROFILE AS A RECREATIONAL DESTINATION, AND AS A NATURAL DESTINATION, AND AS A NATURAL SETTING, BECAUSE OF ITS VISUAL SETTING, BECAUSE OF ITS VISUAL BEAUTY AND THE UNIQUE ECOLOGY, BEAUTY AND THE UNIQUE ECOLOGY, THAT IT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED THAT IT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED AMONG THE TOP FIVE TOURIST DEAD AMONG THE TOP FIVE TOURIST DEAD NATION -- DESTINATIONS IN THE NATION -- DESTINATIONS IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY.

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY.

AND -- NORTHEAST UNITED STATES.

AND -- NORTHEAST UNITED STATES.

WILLIAM BREWSTER, A NOTED ORNITH WILLIAM BREWSTER, A NOTED ORNITH THOWLG, DESCRIBED GREYLOCK AS A THOWLG, DESCRIBED GREYLOCK AS A CANADIAN ISLAND FLOATING ABOVE CANADIAN ISLAND FLOATING ABOVE AN AL GAINIAN SEA.

AN AL GAINIAN SEA.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR THIS >>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "CONNECTING POINT."

EDITION OF "CONNECTING POINT."

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND ALL OF THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW ALL OF THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW IN THIS EPISODE, AS WELL AS IN THIS EPISODE, AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY CONTENT, AND SO MUCH MORE ONLINE CONTENT, AND SO MUCH MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

OUR THANKS TO THE VILLAGE OF OUR THANKS TO THE VILLAGE OF SHELBURNE FALLS FOR HOSTING US SHELBURNE FALLS FOR HOSTING US TODAY.

TODAY.

AND PLEASE, BE SURE TO JOIN US AND PLEASE, BE SURE TO JOIN US AGAIN EVERY WEEK RIGHT HERE FOR AGAIN EVERY WEEK RIGHT HERE FOR MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M BRINE IN -- BRIAN SULLIVAN I'M BRINE IN -- BRIAN SULLIVAN IN FOR ZYDALIS BAUER.

IN FOR ZYDALIS BAUER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND BE THANKS FOR WATCHING AND BE SUPPORT.

SUPPORT.

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