The Trustees of Reservations

For visitors looking to get outside the city, The Trustees of Reservations offers a statewide network of more than 120 preserved places open for public use and enjoyment. Its reservations protect landscapes of scenic, historic and ecological value, including walking trails, gardens, beaches, farms and historic homes, with properties ranging from Boston’s neighborhoods and the North Shore to Cape Cod, the Islands and the Berkshires.

One example is the Mission House in Stockbridge, a National Historic Landmark built around 1742 by the Rev. John Sergeant, the first Christian minister to the Mohican people. Mabel Choate, owner of nearby Naumkeag, moved the house and opened it as a museum in 1930, and its Colonial Revival garden was designed by landscape architect Fletcher Steele. An exhibit by the Stockbridge-Munsee Community keeps Mohican voices at the center of the story.

What to Know

• The Trustees was founded in 1891 and is considered the world’s first land trust.
• Seasonal events include fall pumpkin and Halloween programs at many properties.
• Membership includes access to the reservations and thousands of programs and events.
• The Mission House garden is free to visit and open year-round.