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Hilltown Land Trust

Dedicated to protecting the working lands, native habitats and rural beauty of the Hilltowns since 1986

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You are here: Home / Announcements / History and Legacy

History and Legacy

March 22, 2022

Margaret Waggoner was a Renaissance woman, with a passion for many topics including history, poetry, physics, and the natural world. A retired physics professor and Dean of Smith College, Margaret lived in Goshen for 20 years, and worked actively to preserve the town’s history as Chair of the Historical Commission and President of the Williams-Boltwood House Trust.

Margaret cared deeply for wildlife and knew she wanted to conserve her land, which includes extensive wetlands and sensitive wildlife habitat. She was in the process of doing so with Hilltown Land Trust when she passed away in September of 2021. Because she knew it might not be completed in her lifetime, she included language in her will to ensure the land would be conserved.

In addition to wildlife habitat, Margaret valued the peace she found through quiet contemplation in her woods and wanted others to experience the same on her trails. Thanks to her generous gift, people and wildlife will be able to enjoy her land in perpetuity.


To learn more about the ways you can leave a green legacy for The Hilltowns, visit the Green Legacy Circle page on our website or contact Katie Carr: katie@hilltownlandtrust.org or (413) 628-4485, ext. 5.

Margaret Waggoner, seen from behind, walks along a path in the woods using a walking stick. She is dress in jeans and a red top with a red vest. Next to her is a long rock wall, and she is surrounded by autumn leaves on the trees.
Margaret in her Woods

Filed Under: Announcements, Newsletter, Planned Giving

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9:00 AM - Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
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9:30 AM - Hilltowns Hiking Series - Keystone Arches Bridge Trail
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9:00 AM - Gorge après Gorge 5k trail run and family fun walk!
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Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
Oct 1st, 2017 - Oct 31st, 2017    
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Bullitt Reservation
  • Celebration
Come to the Bullitt Reservation to view an exhibit of Madge Evers' mushroom spore prints. Spore printing is the technique of taking the millions of [...]
More Info
Hilltowns Hiking Series - Keystone Arches Bridge Trail
Hilltowns Hiking Series - Keystone Arches Bridge Trail
Nov 19th, 2017    
9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Chester Railway Station & Museum
  • Hike
Join Hilltown Land Trust and Friends of the Keystone Arches for a hike along the Keystone Arches Bridge Trail in Chester. David Pierce of the Friends of the Keystone Arches will guide us on this moderate 5-mile hike along the Westfield River.
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Gorge après Gorge 5k trail run and family fun walk!
Gorge après Gorge 5k trail run and family fun walk!
Nov 26th, 2017    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Chesterfield Gorge
  • Celebration
  • Family Fun
  • Hike
  • Kids
  • Partnership Event
Join Hilltown Land Trust for the 13th annual Gorge après Gorge 5k trail run and family fun walk! Preregister now for the 5k or the [...]
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Events on Oct 29th, 2017
Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
1 Oct 17
Ashfield
Events on Oct 30th, 2017
Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
1 Oct 17
Ashfield
Events on Oct 31st, 2017
Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
Art Exhibit: Mushroom Spore Prints by Madge Evers
1 Oct 17
Ashfield
Events on Nov 19th, 2017
Hilltowns Hiking Series - Keystone Arches Bridge Trail
Hilltowns Hiking Series - Keystone Arches Bridge Trail
19 Nov 17
Chester
Events on Nov 26th, 2017
Gorge après Gorge 5k trail run and family fun walk!
Gorge après Gorge 5k trail run and family fun walk!
26 Nov 17
Chesterfield
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