Shelburne Falls receives Massachusetts Commonwealth Award

As one of the Board of Directors for the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association, I had the pleasure of being a part of a wonderful group of people who made the trip to the State House in Boston to receive the Creative Community Award on behalf of the Village of Shelburne Falls.  The Massachusetts Cultural Council Commonwealth Awards celebrates extraordinary achievements of the cultural organizations artists, leaders and philanthropists who make Massachusetts a better place through their creativity and commitment.   Of course we all had to make a statement so people at the State house would know all about us.  Prior to our visit the group got together and decorated our shoes to represent the “Art Walk” that happens four times a year.   I had so much fun at the Art Garden in Shelburne Falls where you can have fun with your “creative” side!  As you can see by my shoes, I got a little carried away and they were certainly noticed!  It was a special day for Shelburne Falls and an honor to be there.     

Cathy and I are both natives of the area and are amazed how our village that we have loved for some years has transformed to be recognized as "100 Best Small Art Towns in America."

Written below was taken from the program given at the event about why Shelburne Falls is so special.

Shelburne Falls gets it all right – preserving its historic small town character while being open to the best of modern life. Our thriving cultural community lives and works right in the heart of a rural landscape of wooded hills, family farms, and winding country roads. Visitors can enjoy world-class opera in 1898 Memorial Hall Theater’s Met Live series, or discover eclectic art and crafts galleries and working studios throughout the village. Mocha Maya’s Coffee House offers live music year-round, and our fine restaurants stimulate visitors’ palates with fresh, innovative local foods.

With all the working artists in the area, it’s no surprise that Shelburne Arts Cooperative and the Salmon Falls Artisan Showroom together feature nearly 150 artists from across the region. Lamson & Goodnow is one of the oldest manufacturers of fine cutlery in the nation, and still manufactures its high-quality products here. Don’t miss L&G’s Factory Outlet. Ride the fully restored Trolley No. 10, lone survivor of the streetcars the Shelburne Falls and Colrain Street Railroad ran across the Bridge of Flowers and up Main Street in the early 1900s. Visit Shelburne Falls Bowling, the second oldest candlepin bowling alley in North America, where they’ve been bowling since 1906. And experience the curious geological formation known as the Glacial Potholes at the base of Salmon Falls, a traditional fishing site for Native Americans.