Millbury / Leicester / Grafton
Millbury
Millbury is well-named, as the Blackstone River, Singletary Brook and other waterways powered mills to make guns, lumber, paper, textiles and many other products. Despite all of this bustle, Millbury has managed to maintain its small-town New England charm.
Self-guided tour of Millbury, MA: Millbury Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
Asa Waters Mansion
This fabulous mansion was constructed by Asa Waters, II in the late 1820s. Unlike most in the Blackstone Valley, the fortune of the Waters family was not based on textiles, but guns. In 1808, Asa Waters, II built armory along the banks of the Blackstone River just down behind the house, giving this area the name of Armory Village.
Read more about Asa Waters Mansion: www.asawaters.org
Millbury Rapids
Waterpower provides a primary reason for Millbury’s industrial history. Both Singletary Brook and the Blackstone River have a steep drop as they pass through Millbury, providing a number of suitable dam-buiding sites. Particularly stunning is the sharp drop over the Class 3 rapids on the Blackstone River visible from the Main Street Bridge.
Read more about Millbury Rapids: Millbury Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
Leicester
One of Leicester’s greatest contributions to the Blackstone Valley was Pliny Earle, who helped Samuel Slater develop the waterpowered carding machine he needed at his mill. Leicester was a major card cloth manufacturer, as well as the mill villages of Rochedale and Cherry Valley.
Self-guided tour of Leicester, MA: Leicester Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)Leicester Common
Leicester Common has been the center of life in town for nearly 300 years. As a crossroads, it was the site for the meetinghouse and several taverns, along with a few small shops. The common has been a center of education since 1784, with the establishment of the Leicester Academy. Today, Becker College sits on the eastern side of the common and owns many of the historic buildings along Main Street.
Read more about Leicester Common: Leicester Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
Grafton
Like most towns in the Blackstone River Valley, Grafton provides a study in contrasts. Mill villages dominate the southwestern corner of town where the Blackstone River cuts through, while the rest of Grafton contained rolling hills and farmland, now suburbanized, centered on one of the lovely town commons in New England.
Self-guided tour of Grafton, MA: Grafton Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
Community Harvest Project
Community Harvest Project is a non-profit farm located in North Grafton that improves access to healthy foods through community engagement. Each year, they bring thousands of volunteers together to grow fresh fruits and vegetables for individuals and families in our community. All produce is distributed through hunger relief agencies in Worcester County to reach neighbors who need it most.
Read more about Community Harvest Project: www.community-harvest.org
Grafton Common
View a quintessential example of a New England Town common here in Grafton, so perfect, in fact, that it was used as a set for a Hollywood movie. Surrounding the common today are churches, shops and a number of homes, some former mansions of the town’s wealthy, others converted shoe and boot shops.
Read more about Grafton Common: Grafton Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
Grafton Historical Society Museum
The museum is managed by the Grafton Historical Society. Exhibits include (1) Grafton's role in the Civil War, (2) research finds historic baseball grounds on town-owned Perreault property, and (3) antique valentines.
Read more about Grafton Historical Society Museum: graftonhistoricalsociety.org/museum/
Grafton Land Trust
When you think of Grafton, the town's historic steeple-lined New England common and unique mill villages may come to mind. But, Grafton is equally defined by our natural beauty. The Grafton Land Trust, and its partners, have preserved over 900 acres of publicly accessible open space in town. Photo courtesy of Troy Gipps.
Read more about Grafton Land Trust: www.graftonland.org
New England Village
A lack of waterpower at Grafton Center allowed the center to develop into what it is today. Grafton investors built mills on the Blackstone and Quinsigamond rivers, creating new village centers in Fisherville, Farnumsville, Saundersville, Kittville, Centerville and New England Village. Each of these villages has its own fascinating story to tell.
Read more about New England Village:
Willard House and Clock Museum
The Willard House and Clock Museum is the birthplace and workshop of America’s premiere 18th century clockmakers: Benjamin, Simon, Ephraim and Aaron Willard. Take a glimpse into the life and work of this family of craftsmen.
Read more about Willard House and Clock Museum: www.willardhouse.org