The place that 772 residents call "our little piece of paradise" is a rural hill town located between Greenfield and the Vermont border. Named after the town of Leiden in Holland, a sanctuary for Pilgrims, the area was settled around 1737 by Mayflower descendents. Along with Bernardston and Eastern Colrain, it was originally part of the "Fall Town" grants given to men who had fought Indians with Captain William Turner but was set off as a separate district in 1784 by then Commonwealth of Massachusetts president John Hancock. It wasn't until 1809, however, that the town had enough population for incorporation. Early settlers included Samuel Cunnabell, who made a name for himself with his innovative maple sugaring techniques. One of the earliest industries was cheesemaking, along with blacksmith shops, a gun shop, a box shop, grist mills, sawmills and wood products mills.

Famous sons of Leyden include John Riddell, inventor of the binocular microscope and magnifying glass, and Henry Kirk Brown, a pioneering American sculptor. Brown started out as a portrait painter but later turned to sculpture, which he studied in Italy. Famous for his bronze equestrian statue of George Washington located in Union Square, New York, he also completed four statues which stand in the Capitol building in Washington, DC.

Modern day Leyden retains the agricultural character that attracted early settlers. Much as they did in the early days, farms in town produce organic heirloom tomatoes, vegetables, maple syrup, butter, beef, pork and wool. The rural setting has attracted a number of entrepreneurs, too, who operate (among other things) a corporate retreat, an aromatherapy products company and several consulting businesses. Artists and photographers have also found a home in this picture-perfect setting.

Those seeking a quiet outdoor space can find it in Leyden State Forest, a 61-acre piece of property between county and Beaver Meadow Roads. The Green River, which serves as the border between Leyden and Colrain is well stocked with trout, making it popular with anglers, but its deep pools also offer opportunities for a refreshing summer swim.

Beautiful in any season (though some of the roads may be a bit more challenging in the winter), Leyden is worth a trip, particularly if you're heading to Vermont and have the time to venture off the highway. You'll find some of the landscape that makes this part of the Pioneer Valley truly special.

Note: If you approach Leyden from Greenfield on Leyden Road, you'll come across our favorite place for Christmas trees – Meadowcrest Farm. Owners Jim and Rita Adams offer the total experience, including a horse-drawn hayride through their well-groomed fields with hot cider afterwards by the wood stove in their Christmas shop. You can choose from many different varieties of hand-pruned trees, which Jim will cut for you with his trusty chain saw, haul, bag and secure on your car. They even ship trees UPS overnight to locations around the country! And best of all, the prices are extremely reasonable. They're open daily from the day after Thanksgiving to the day before Christmas.

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