49mi from Needham · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Gilbertville, MAWelcome to Rosy Goat Farm!!
We are the quintessential family farm/homestead, our farmhouse was built in the 1840’s
Bill and I bought this 13-acre property in 2012, It was overgrown with wild roses. We have worked with a limited budget, and used animals to clear the land. The goats love the wild roses. The pigs dig the roses up. Chickens rake it clean. Win win!
Very interesting place here- lots to tell you, there’s quite a list of things to do and see around here! Did you know that Gilbertville has a covered bridge? It is one of the last covered bridges still in use in Massachusetts!
First- a touch of Hardwick History:
Rev. Timothy Ruggles bought this land from the Native Americans for his family to live on, and to work the land.
His son, Brigadeer General Timothy Ruggles became unpopular after he introduced the Stamp Act, and was banished to Nova Scotia.
His daughter Bathsheba became the last woman executed in the United States for the murder of her husband Joshua Spooner. (There’s a book about it called Murdered by his wife, by Deborah Navas.)
Want to know local eateries?
For breakfasts and lunch there is The Whistle Stop diner, it was a former Boston & Albany Railroad station. Speaking of railroads, did you know that The Mass Central Rail Trail runs through Gilbertville!
Rose 32, is a well known bakery that serves tea, coffee and sandwiches.
There’s Hardwick house of Pizza- for tasty pizza and subs, which also serves beer.
Feeling fancy? Try Hardwick Crossing Country Club (features a 9 hole golf course), it has a restaurant with a full-service bar, gorgeous scenery! Its a 3 minute drive from here
Mimi’s for your morning coffee and lunch, yum! And it overlooks our beautiful Common!
Also check out Stone Cow Brewery in Barre -has a kids play area while you wait for your meal!
Ware has Mexicali Grill, Theresa’s Restaurant for Italian foods, Bellies Barnyard for traditional American cuisine, and, Pig Park BBQ for comfort food!
Farmer Mat in North Brookfield has take out meals- there are picnic tables available, beautiful views.
Things to do:
You can kayak, and fish, at Swift River in Belchertown.
Hardwick is the home of the oldest agricultural fair in the US, held every year in August, and, every Sunday there’s a small farmers market on the common.
Hardwick also has a winery- Hardwick Vineyard and Winery, they have all kinds of events, (find them on facebook) and, check out Lost Towns brewery- the name is a throwback to the 4 towns that were submerged to create the Quabbin Reservoir!
Medicine River Pow Wow is in August here in Gilbertville, on River Run Rd.
The East Quabbin Land Trust has birdwatching and fabulous views, and the Mass Central Rail Trail entrance is located here. Bike it or hike it!
Quabbin Reservoir is close by for boating and fishing.
There are free concerts in Grenville Park in Ware, (check for dates).
Ware also has Janine’s Frostee ice cream and fast foods- and live music on weekend nights!
Also check out these on line: Ragged Hill orchard and Rock House Reservation in West Brookfield, and Carter and Stevens farm in Barre. The Leicester, and Mendon movie drive-in’s.
Old Sturbridge village is 30 minutes away.
Lake Lashaway has a swimming area in East Brookfield, right off of Rte 9. It’s about 20 minutes from here.
Lake Siog in Holland has a lovely picnic area and beach for swimming. (30 mins South from here)
Is this area great or what?!
