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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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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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Photos & Pie!
Photos & Pie!
Dec 10th, 2017    
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Bullitt Reservation
  • Celebration
  • Family Fun
Please join us for the opening reception of our Fall Photo Contest show! All of the wonderful photos submitted to the Water, Everywhere contest will [...]
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Hilltowns Hiking Series - Silent Sunset Solstice Hike
Hilltowns Hiking Series - Silent Sunset Solstice Hike
Dec 21st, 2017    
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
DAR State Forest
  • Hike
Enjoy the shortest day of the year with a meditative hike. We will take a short, silent walk on the accessible trail along the Upper [...]
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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
Events on Dec 10th, 2017
Photos & Pie!
Photos & Pie!
10 Dec 17
Ashfield
Events on Dec 21st, 2017
Hilltowns Hiking Series - Silent Sunset Solstice Hike
Hilltowns Hiking Series - Silent Sunset Solstice Hike
21 Dec 17
Goshen
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