July 13, 2010 — Representative Benson Congratulates District Sites
BOSTON — Representative Jen Benson was pleased to announce that nine attractions in her district were included on the list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts.
The Discovery Museum in Acton, the Quilted Crow shop in Boxborough, Carlson Orchards, Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge and the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, the First Church of Christ in Lancaster, the Historic District and the Drawbridge Puppet Theater in Lunenburg, and Shaker Village in Shirley were all named as great places to visit in Massachusetts.
"I am proud that these locations were recognized as some of the best places to visit in Massachusetts," said Benson. "These nine spots are just a few of the wonderful places to visit in the 37th Middlesex District. The district's towns have so many local treasures."
The Acton Children's and Science Discovery Museums offer hands-on fun designed to inspire young children and engage older kids in science, math and engineering concepts through interactive exhibits. Since 1999, the Quilted Crow in Boxborough has offered unique folk-art inspired fabrics, quilting products, and classes, celebrating quilting's connection to American history.
For two generations the Carlson family has run the 120-acre Carlson Orchards in Harvard, MA offering fruit trees, a raspberry patch, frog pond, pumpkin patch and acres of apple trees. Oxbow Refuge in Harvard offers miles of hiking trails, small game hunting and structured educational programs. Founded in 1843 on the site of Bronson Alcott's transcendentalist commune, Fruitlands Museum exhibits ethnographic materials from across North America alongside Hudson River Landscapes and 19th century vernacular portraits.
Designed Charles Bulfinch, and built in 1816, the First Church of Christ in Lancaster is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The Lunenburg Historic District represents classic small town New England and was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1988. The Drawbridge Puppet Theater has been delighting families with their enchanted garden and magical public performances in Lunenburg for nineteen years. Founded in the late 18th century, Shirley's Shaker Village once hosted Shaker founder Mother Ann Lee and offered a haven for seekers of spiritual truth.
The Great Places initiative celebrates what is unique about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, its communities, and its people. It aims to boost visitation to Massachusetts as well as give local residents the opportunity to visit known and unknown historic sites, cultural venues, and natural landscapes.
A complete list of the 1,000 Great Places can be found on the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism's (MOTT) website: http://www.massvacation.com/.
