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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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6:30 PM - Walden Film Screening & Discussion
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1:00 PM - CANCELLED - Hilltowns Hiking Series - Dubuque State Forest
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10:00 AM - Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
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Walden Film Screening & Discussion
Walden Film Screening & Discussion
Feb 26th, 2018    
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Westhampton Memorial Library
  • Partnership Event
Free screening of Walden, a new documentary about the creation and enduring legacy of Henry David Thoreau's writing, executive produced by Ken Burns, narrated by Robert Redford, and featuring Don Henley, David McCullough, Terri Tempest Williams, Bill McKibben, and Doris Kearns Goodwin, among others.
More Info
CANCELLED - Hilltowns Hiking Series - Dubuque State Forest
CANCELLED - Hilltowns Hiking Series - Dubuque State Forest
Feb 28th, 2018    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest
  • Hike
  • Partnership Event
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED. Please email hltoutreach [at] thetrustees [dot] org if you wish to be notified of future Hilltowns Hiking Series events. [...]
More Info
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Mar 14th, 2018    
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
DAR State Forest
  • Hike
  • Partnership Event
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED DUE TO THE FORECAST. We will be meeting one week later, on March 14th, at the D.A.R. We [...]
More Info
Glendale Falls & Sugar Shack Breakfast - Hilltowns Hiking Series
Glendale Falls & Sugar Shack Breakfast - Hilltowns Hiking Series
Mar 17th, 2018    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Glendale Falls
  • Family Fun
  • Hike
Join us for a short hike at the spectacular Glendale Falls: one of the longest and most powerful waterfall runs in the state! The steep, [...]
More Info
Events on Feb 26th, 2018
Walden Film Screening & Discussion
Walden Film Screening & Discussion
26 Feb 18
Westhampton
Events on Feb 28th, 2018
CANCELLED - Hilltowns Hiking Series - Dubuque State Forest
CANCELLED - Hilltowns Hiking Series - Dubuque State Forest
28 Feb 18
Hawley
Events on Mar 14th, 2018
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
14 Mar 18
Goshen
Events on Mar 17th, 2018
Glendale Falls & Sugar Shack Breakfast - Hilltowns Hiking Series
Glendale Falls & Sugar Shack Breakfast - Hilltowns Hiking Series
17 Mar 18
Middlefield
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