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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 Run/Walk 2022
Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk 2022
Nov 27th, 2022    
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Chesterfield Gorge
  • Family Fun
  • Partnership Event
It's that time of year again! Join us for this year’s Gorge après Gorge 5k Trail Run and Free Family Fun Walk on November 27th. [...]
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Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
Dec 21st, 2022    
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
DAR State Forest
  • Hike
Enjoy the shortest day of the year with a meditative hike. We will take a short, silent walk along the Upper Highland Lake in DAR [...]
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Events on Nov 27th, 2022
Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk 2022
Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk 2022
27 Nov 22
Chesterfield
Events on Dec 21st, 2022
Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
21 Dec 22
Goshen
  • About
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    • Conservation Restrictions
    • Agricultural Preservation Restrictions
    • Financial Incentives
    • Donating or Selling Land
    • Estate Planning
    • Landowner & Town Resources
  • Properties
    • Trails & Maps
      • Big View Trail
      • Bradley
      • Breckenridge
      • Clary Hill
      • Conwell
      • Hilltown Boulders
      • Historic Dam Trail
      • Locke’s Loop Trail
      • Robert’s Meadow Brook Trail
      • Round Top Hill
      • Stevens
      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
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© 2026 Hilltown Land Trust | Hilltown Land is a 501c3 nonprofit organization | Est. 1986