Middlefield, MA, is a small town of nearly 400 residents in the northern hardwood forests of the Appalachian Mountains, about 40 miles from Springfield in Hampshire County. Known for its remote and rural setting, the town is surrounded by rivers, brooks, and hiking trails. Skyline Drive, the main road, hosts the local library, church, and fire station. Middlefield, incorporated in 1783, was once a hub for the woolen industry, but the forests have since reclaimed much of the land. The town's fringes feature state forests and wildlife management areas, popular among hunters and anglers. Glendale Falls, a scenic waterfall along Glendale Brook, is a notable attraction. Middlefield State Forest and Peru State Forest offer hiking trails through rolling hills and dense hardwood canopies.
Housing in Middlefield includes historic Colonials from the 1700s, log cabins from the 1980s, and custom-built homes on large lots. The real estate market is limited, with few properties listed at any given time. Community life centers around the Middlefield Senior Center and the Blossom Center, which host events like book clubs, meditation classes, bingo nights, and potlucks. The annual Middlefield Fair, held every August, features traditional country entertainment. While local amenities are sparse, Chester, 5 miles south, offers a small grocery store and a restaurant. For more extensive shopping, residents travel to Lee, 15 miles away, which has a major grocery store and the Lee Premium Outlets. The closest emergency room is 18 miles away in Pittsfield, and Bradley International Airport is just over 40 miles from the town.
