WINDSOR LANDMARKS & STORIES PROJECT celebrates Windsor’s natural, historical, and cultural treasures, and highlights some of the people who’ve helped shape our unique community. Launched in 2015 with the installation of two dozen signs marking key historical sites, each phase of our project aims to further engage and enrich community members.
2023
INTRODUCING…
GROOT!
This July, in collaboration with Windsor Parks & Recreation, we hosted Games & Crafts Day at the Windsor Town Park. Fun activities for kids included relay races, tug o’ rope, kickball, cornhole, face painting, potato stamp tote bags, and a chance to name the young maple tree Friends of Windsor planted this summer, which will one day provide shade for the new chess table and a portion of the playground. Windsor resident Riley B. came up with the winning name. Groot is the brave tree character in Guardians of the Galaxy who helps keep the universe safe. A worthy name, indeed!
2022
PLAYGROUND ENHANCEMENT
Recognizing that our Town Park has the potential to be a vibrant community gathering place, especially with the newly installed playground, we purchased and, with local volunteer assistance, installed an all-weather concrete chess table & stools in the seating area near the playground.
In collaboration with Windsor’s Park & Recreation Committee.
2020/2021
SHARING OUR STORIES
We conducted audio-recorded interviews with 18 of Windsor’s longest-time residents, sharing excerpts from their stories as full-color monthly features in Windsor Now & Then. Click on the image to read these Sharing Our Stories features.
Supported by a grant from the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
2020
WELCOME, POLLINATORS!
We installed bat and bird houses near the new plantings around the Welcome to Windsor sign, as well as this handsome placard informing our human visitors about the importance of helping native pollinators. Click on the image to see more photos.
Supported by a grant from Windsor’s Cultural Council.
2019
POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING
We continued the momentum of our 2018 pollinator awareness initiative with pollinator-friendly landscaping around the new Welcome to Windsor sign. Our hope is to create an inviting space for people and the tiny creatures on whom our natural environment depends. Click on the image to see more photos.
Supported by a generous grant from the Cooper Meadow Fund.
2019
WELCOME TO WINDSOR!
We installed this unique, locally handcrafted Welcome to Windsor sign, held an uplifting community celebration to unveil it, and, for all new residents, hand-delivered Welcome to Windsor baskets filled with Windsor-made goods and helpful community resources. Click on the image for a photo gallery and to learn more.
Supported by a grant from the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
2018
HELPING WINDSOR’S POLLINATORS
We brought 8 community groups together for this yearlong project to create 2 new gardens in town, host 10 events, and inspire a lasting passion for our native pollinators. Click on the image to learn more about our efforts.
Supported by a grant from the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee.
2018
CONCERT & PHOTO EXHIBIT
East Windsor Chapel
Our late summer event—featuring the Easy Ridin’ Papas and 10 local photographers—was a rousing success, drawing over 50 engaged visitors to our lovely little chapel.
Supported by a grant from Windsor's Cultural Council.
2017
OUR TOWN VIDEO
We commissioned this gorgeous three-minute film—produced by local videographer, Kyle Finn Dempsey, and narrated by Windsor's own Stephen Philbrick—to capture the unique beauty and spirit of our small town. Click on the image to watch!
Supported by grants from the Central Berkshire Fund of Berkshire Taconic and the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee. Generously sponsored by Berkshire Bridge & Iron, Berkshire Snow Seekers, Hill Engineers, and The Trustees.
2017
WINDSOR GROWN!
In partnership with The Trustees, we pulled out all the stops to celebrate and showcase our community and place. Over 300 people flocked to Notchview to enjoy live music, local food & craft vendors, demonstrations, exhibits, children's activities, and the unveiling of the Our Town video. Click on the image to see our fabulous Windsor Grown Gallery, and to learn more.
Supported by grants from the Central Berkshire Fund, Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee, and Windsor Cultural Council. Generously sponsored by Berkshire Wood Products, Dalton CRA, Dream Vacations, Greylock Realty, Innovations Hair Salon, Itty Bitty Farm Trust, Jack Sobon Architect & Builder, Kelly's Package Store, P.M. Reed Carry Goods, and Windsor Jambs Farm.
2017
FOW WOODLAND TRAIL
A definite highlight at the Windsor Grown festival! Friends of Windsor's Woodland Trail was simply magical. From start to finish, it was designed and created by Windsor volunteers—from the hand-carved tree dragons and rustic sapling fort (complete with fire pit and s'mores!) to the mesmerizing path through a rhododendron patch, and so much more. Click on the image to see our amazing FOW Woodland Trail Gallery.
2016
CELEBRATE WINDSOR!
There was standing-room-only in the East Windsor Chapel for our celebration of this town's rich history. Click on the image to see our Celebrate Windsor Gallery, and to learn more.
Supported by grants from the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Windsor's Cultural Council.
2016
LANDMARKS GUIDE MAP
We created this handsome 16" x 18" guide map that features the locations of Windsor's 24 historical site signs. Click on the image to look inside! For more information, or to purchase one ($4), please Contact us.
Supported by grants from the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Windsor's Cultural Council. Generously sponsored by Berkshire Bridge & Iron, Hill Engineers, L.P. Adams, The Trustees, and Wild & Scenic Westfield River.
2016
FLASHBACKS
We designed and created this year's worth of monthly features — in print and online — meant to deepen the stories behind the historical site signs, as well as deepen Windsor's sense of connection to its past. Click on the image for our FLASHBACKS features and companion web presentations.
Supported by grants from the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Windsor's Cultural Council.
2015
HISTORICAL SITE SIGNS
In collaboration with the Windsor Historical Commission, we installed twenty-four coordinated signs throughout town marking historically significant sites in locations where recognizable structures no longer exist. The signs offer us a tangible connection to Windsor’s past. Click on the image for a list of the sites and our online map.
Supported by a grant from the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.