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The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor in northeastern Connecticut and south-central Masschusetts has been called "The Last Green Valley" in the Boston-to-Washington urban corridor.
Near Hartford, Providence, and Worcester, but far enough away to avoid urban encroachment, this 1,086-square-mile region remains quite rural.
During the past 50 years, factories have been converted to housing, antique and craft shops and high-tech business centers. Despite this, the region has retained its farms, lush woodlands and clean waterways. Its rivers wind through rolling hills and link the area's small towns, farmland, forests and mills.
This heritage corridor covers 35 towns and numerous villages, and hosts a total population of 300,000. The federal government does not own or manage any of the corridor land. Instead, citizens, businesses, nonprofit cultural and environmental organizations, local and state governments and the National Park Service work together to preserve the region's cultural, historical and natural heritage.
There are many ways to experience The Last Green Valley. Visitors explore the region's historic sites, museums, natural areas, country fairs, farms, festivals and other activities.
Each year, the corridor sponsors Walking Weekends on the Columbus Day holiday weekend and the weekend following. More than 100 free, guided walks highlight the historic, natural and cultural resources of the valley. A Fine Arts & Crafts Festival is held in Woodstock, and a Highland Festival is featured in Scotland during the month. Maple Sugar Days are held in March.
In November, visitors can participate in an Artists' Open Studio Tour in various towns, and enjoy many agricultural fairs in August and September. July's highlights include a Boom Box Parade in Willimantic and Connecticut's largest antique and classic car festival in
Norwich, a city that also hosts a Winter Festival in December. Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Mass., offers year-round activities at its 1830s-style farming village. In nearby Brimfield MA, the Brimfield Antiques Show, the largest event of its kind in the country, takes place in May, July, and September.
The State Welcome Center, westbound on I-84 in Willington, offers free brochures, maps and information about the corridor.
The Coventry Visitor Center, 1195 Main St./Route 31 in downtown Coventry, provides free travel information on weekends.
There are brochure racks in each of 35 towns in the region. The Norwich Tourism Office, located at 69 Main St. in Norwich, provides information on lodging and area attractions.
Outdoor Activities |
An aerial view of The Last Green Valley.
One of the last undeveloped regions in the Boston-to-Washington corridor is preserved.
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