Moore State Park

Moore State Park
Massachusetts State Park
Sawmill at Moore State Park
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Worcester
Town Paxton
Elevation 997 m (3,271 ft) [1]
Coordinates 42°19′02″N 71°57′07″W / 42.31722°N 71.95194°W / 42.31722; -71.95194Coordinates: 42°19′02″N 71°57′07″W / 42.31722°N 71.95194°W / 42.31722; -71.95194 [1]
Area 737 acres (298 ha) [2]
Biome Oak-hickory forest,
northern hardwood forest,
pond, wetlands
Plant Red oak, eastern white pine
Location in Massachusetts
Website: Moore State Park
Moore State Park Historic District
Nearest city Paxton, Massachusetts
Architectural style Other, Early Republic
NRHP reference # 04000535
Added to NRHP May 21, 2004

Moore State Park is a 737-acre (298 ha) public recreation area located in the town of Paxton, Massachusetts, 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.[3]

History

A portion of the land within Moore State Park was once the home 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.[3]

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.[4]

Activities and amenities

Park recreational opportunities include canoeing, fishing, hunting, hiking, cross-country skiing, and picnicking. Interpretive programs and concerts are held in season.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Eames Pond". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. ↑ "2012 Acreage Listing" (PDF). Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Moore State Park". MassParks. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ Miner, Bradford L. (January 25, 2011). "Planting a Comeback". Telegram.com. Worcester, Mass.: Gatehouse Media. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
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