Sheep Hill (WRL), Williamstown

Sheep Hill (WRL), Williamstown

Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation Mohawk Trail (US-7) Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267

Official Website
Sheep Hill map

About this Location

Sheep Hill is the home of Williamstown Rural Lands (WRL). Once upon a time, it was a 50-acre dairy farm known as Sunny Brook Farm. Art and Ella Rosenburg, and their son “young Art,” moved to the farm in 1933. They maintained a milking herd for more than 50 years and lived in the picturesque farmhouse just off Cold Spring Road.

Today, the 19th-century farmhouse is the home base for WRL. It holds the WRL offices, as well as a small lending library, meeting spaces, and a classroom. It is the jumping-off point for seasonal programming like Full Moon and Firefly Hikes, Kids Nature Programs, and public lectures on topics ranging from the American Chestnut to Winter Tracking to Bikepacking. You can also start your own adventures here: the classroom is stocked with binoculars, field guides, and other materials that you can use while exploring Sheep Hill.

Sheep Hill has a variety of barns and outbuildings, all of which are still in use. But don’t worry: instead of horses and cows milling about, you’ll find interpretive exhibits that will enrich your visit to Sheep Hill and Williamstown.

The Tool Shed, Milk House, and Horse Barn feature displays about the farm’s history. The Nature Cabin is always open, with frog nets and other nature exploration materials.

The Dairy Barn now houses the Dietze Interpretive Center. Inside, you’ll find interactive nature and history displays, maps, and other information to enhance your visit to Sheep Hill and WRL’s other properties.

The backdrop to all of this is Sheep Hill. At one point, this steep slope was commonly grazed by sheep. Today, it is maintained by annual mowing. Walking loops tour the field, and the view of Mount Greylock to the east is about as good as it gets.

There are several wooded areas, hedgerows, and forest edges, throughout the hillside. One stand of trees at the field’s south end adjoins a steep-sided, forested gorge through which a perennial stream flows. At the base of the hill, there is a wetland, and pond (Josiah’s Pond), and a small seepage marsh.

The farmhouse and grounds are open year-round to the public. Picnicking, hiking, and bird watching are just some of the activities possible at Sheep Hill. (Sledding is a wintertime favorite!)

Notable Trails

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Sheep Hill.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Official Website

Last updated November 25, 2023