A beautiful grove of chestnuts, pines, and maples¹

Trees become an integral part of everyday life, not only in the context of Laurel Park. They can provide physical and spiritual security in the form of shelter and a sense of place. Trees are deeply rooted, static features on the landscape that are very much alive and gradually changing. They help us learn about our bigger place in the world aside from our immediate surroundings.

Historic Northampton

Laurel Park Arts

Old Maps Online

Guidelines for Tree Ordinances

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

¹Evans, A. H. “The Chautauqua Assembly.” From Historic Northampton, Archives.

²Knab, Frederick. In 1902-1903 Northampton of Today. Northampton, MA: Picturesque Publishing Company 1902.

³Manning, Alice H. “Northampton’s Laurel Park, Peaceful Domain for Religious Activities.” In Meadow City Milestones: A Collection of Historical Sketches. Daily Hampshire Gazette 1987.

From the earliest times, trees have been a focus of spiritual life for many people around the globe. As the largest plant on earth, they help to define a sense of place. My first impression of Laurel Park was the intriguing union of people and forest communicated through the land. This web page consists of photographs, oral histories, and archival data which serves to highlight the resounding trees within this landscape.

In Laurel Park, there is a serene and yet visually striking view of the hundred or so cottages integrated through the forest in no consistent spatial arrangement. Thousands and thousands of people would come here for Chautauqua Assemblies from 1887 to 1933. There were various lectures, music, discussions, services, and courses that were held as visitors traveled near and far to enjoy a serene but intellectually stimulating summer. 

The Springfield District Camp Meeting Association formed and conducted its first meetings in 1857. They were originally settled in Wilbraham for seven years and then moved to Hatfield in 1864 for the next eight years. When they wanted to change locations again, they decided to purchase 74 acres of land in Northampton and founded the camp at Laurel Park in 1872.

"Since the land was very heavily wooded, much cleaning and grading had to be done before the first tents could be set up. The little forest was profusely covered with laurel, and the sight became known as Laurel Park...”²

“Nearly 100 acres of grove covered with pine, chestnut and maple, great ledges entwined with laurel, shady walks, pure spring water, scores of attractive cottages, large covered Auditorium, and Normal Hall with broad piazzas, are some of the attractions of Laurel Park. Just in front of the Park is the Connecticut river, which winds like a silver thread through the green meadows. Mt. Tom, Mt. Holyoke, and Mt. Tobey lift themselves against the distant skies. It would be difficult to find a more picturesque spot.” --Alice Manning, 1987³​

Laurel Park's "little forest" is slowly and continuously changing as trees grow, die, spontaneously regenerate from seed, and get removed or planted by people. Still, the overall landscape character persists shady, enclosed, and verdant. 

“It looks quite different now than it did when I first started coming here. Then it was a really wooded spot, but the hurricane did a tremendous amount of damage to the trees as well as to the cottages. Seven hundred and ten trees were felled at that time and all the cottages were ordered vacated.” - Mr. Holway, 1987²

Although trees serve a variety of ecological functions in general, they also offer cultural meaning to the main landscape. Any tree with an extensive lifespan can be said to hold historical value. However, they become notably significant when the community ascribes reverence and vests interest to ensure that these trees are protected.