Another of the "five fingers on one hand" (the five villages that make up the town of Montague), Montague Center was the site of the town's original settlement in the early 1700s. Attracted by the availability of water, abundant productive farmland and a tranquil setting, settlers flocked to the area. But while farming continued to be a mainstay of the local economy, the village's location on the Sawmill River and its proximity to transportation routes also made it the ideal industrial location. By the mid-19th century, as Turners Falls, Greenfield and Hadley became more crowded with industry, manufacturers set up shop in Montague Center. The resulting influx of factory workers and worker housing not only increased the size and density of the village but also influenced its architecture, giving it an unusual diversity for a village of its size.

With the 20th-century manufacturing decline, Montague Center made a gradual and deliberate return to its original rural roots. In fact, through careful town planning, today's Montague Center looks a lot like the village did in the 1830s. Many of the buildings grouped around the bucolic village green, including the Town Hall, the Congregational Church, the Montague Grange (site of monthly contra dances and other town events) and many private homes, were built in the mid-nineteenth century and are excellent examples of the uniquely American Greek Revival architectural style popular during the period.

The one remaining mill, the old Alvah Stone Grist Mill on the Sawmill, (now the Montague Mill, located a short walk from the village green on Greenfield Road) has been put to good use, housing artist galleries, an antique shop, and two businesses of particular note — the Book Mill and the Blue Heron. Promoted as "things you don't need in a place you can't find" (a tagline I just love), the Book Mill is a combination new and used book shop, café, art gallery and performance space. As the latter, it's getting quite a local reputation for booking quality acoustic music. And if you're into books, you could get lost in their shelves for hours. Downstairs from the Book Mill is the Blue Heron restaurant, one of the best eateries in the Valley (in my humble opinion). Named Massachusetts Restaurant Association Chef of the Year in 2000, owner and chef extraordinaire Deborah Snow creates such exquisite dishes as pan roasted Chilean sea bass on a salad of avocado and ruby red grapefruit, roasted chili rellenos, tea smoked fillet of salmon, and roasted rack of lamb with olive tapenade (I'm salivating just thinking about it). The restaurant prides itself on its use of local ingredients, like eggs and maple syrup from nearby Diemand Farm, and produce from Seeds of Solidarity and Golonka Farm. When Don and I last visited (a spur of the moment decision, after friends forgot they had invited us over for dinner — but that's another story), we dined on the deck overlooking the river. The food was divine, the ambiance was extremely pleasant and the service was quite attentive. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Another of Montague Center's attractions is the 1,425 acre Montague Wildlife Management Area. Located a short five-minute walk from the common, it's a popular spot for nature walks, picnics, bird watching, and hunting (in season). It's the village's emphasis on land preservation, along with the continued presence of small and large-scale working farms and nurseries, that helps it retain its idyllic rural character.

And "idyllic" is the perfect word to describe the town's recent May Day event. This day-long festival (a 16-year tradition) heralds the arrival of spring with the traditional maypole dance, group singing, giant puppets, picnicking, an auction and performances by local Morris and clogging groups. The event consistently draws a large crowd, but this sunny Sunday brought the celebrants out in droves. When we arrived, men, women and children crowned with colorful flower garlands were just beginning to circle the maypole as a bevy of local musicians provided a lively fiddle and drum accompaniment. Later, we watched Greenfield's Guiding Star Clog group go through their paces (Amherst's Juggler Meadow and Wakerobin and Hadley's Hartsbrook Garland also performed throughout the day). Then we ambled over to the Grange for an arts and crafts show and stopped by a table to contribute what we could to help two Green Party candidates qualify for Clean Elections funding. Along the way, we greeted many friends and acquaintances (one of the best things about living in the Valley is running into people you know) and soaked up some sunshine (much appreciated after the week of rain). It was a perfectly lovely afternoon

Whether to browse the Book Mill, take part in May Day or the Old Home Days celebration in August, eat at the Blue Heron, stop by a farm stand, or dance at the Grange, Montague Center is a place that begs not just one, but many visits. If you've never been there, by all means make the trip. It is truly one of the Valley's treasures.

More information about Montague Center can be found on these links.

MontagueMA
www.montaguema.net/

Town of Montague Site
www.montague.net/

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