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Our Mission
 The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area exists to illuminate the diverse, rich identity of the Upper Housatonic River Valley region and to preserve and promote its historical, cultural and natural resources. We support, stimulate and advance the region’s economic vitality and quality of life, looking towards a sustainable future for the benefit of residents and visitors. This National Heritage Area facilitates collaboration with regional organizations, working as a catalyst for regional thinking.
The upper Housatonic Valley is noted for its scenic landscape and traditional New England towns. Writers, artists, and vacationers have visited the region for over 150 years, making it one of the country's leading cultural resorts. Encompassing 29 communities in the hilly terrain of western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut, the upper Housatonic Valley is considered by many to be the quintessence of a civilized, independent, and thoughtful retreat.
Many visitors and residents alike, however, are unaware of the underlying history and culture that have shaped and been shaped by the region's landscape. The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area has been created as a means of heightening appreciation of the region, preserving its natural and historic resources, improving the local economy and quality of life, controlling undesirable growth, and promoting the cleanup of the Housatonic River.
The valley has made significant national contributions through its iron, paper, and electrical equipment industries, its scenic beautification and environmental conservation efforts, and literary, artistic, musical, and architectural achievements.
BREAKING NEWS - HERITAGE AREA ANNOUNCES PUBLIC MEETINGS - MAY 15th, 20th, 22nd
The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area will hold public meetings to provide information about current heritage programs. Trustees of the Heritage Area will be on hand to speak about future directions, and get your feedback about what you'd like to see the heritage area get involved in. The meetings will also provide guidelines for grant-seekers and discuss the 2008 application procedure and criteria.
 Current programs include the Autumn Heritage Walks, Iron Heritage Trail, African-American Heritage Trail, annual graduate-level teachers’ institute, and a proposed Performing Arts Heritage Trail and Paper Heritage Trail.
The Heritage Area has received a modest appropriation for this year from the National Park Service, and $50,000 of this will be made available for grants to non-profits and municipalities. Because the total amount is relatively small in relation to the broad geographical area, this fiscal year’s grants will be awarded in the “industrial heritage” theme category. Grants of $1,000 to $5,000 will be available in three categories: education, archives & historical records, and interpretation & programming.
Trustees of the Heritage Area will also be available to discuss the grant application process with all interested parties, and are urging any organization that may want to apply for a grant to send representatives to one of the meetings. Meetings are scheduled:
- Sharon, CT, on Thursday May 15th / 7:00 pm at the Chapin Room of the Sharon Town Hall,
- Dalton, MA, on Tuesday May 20 / 7PM, at Model Farm on Main Street,
- Sheffield, MA, on Thursday May 22 / 7PM, at the Bushnell-Sage Library.
For further information, contact Dan Bolognani, Executive Director at 860-435-9505 or email info@housatonicheritage.org. For information about the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, the 2008 grant applications and criteria, visit the 2008 Heritage Partnership Grants page.
BREAKING NEWS - NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA APPOINTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
 April 11, 2008 ... The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area announced today the appointment of Dan Bolognani as its first Executive Director. Mr. Bolognani, a life-long resident of the area, has served on their Board of Trustees for the past five years, and has been the acting Executive Director for the past six months.
No stranger to the non-profit world, Dan has served on several regional Boards, ranging from public education to child care & after-school programs. He currently serves on the Board of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau and as Chairman of the Northwest CT Convention & Visitors Bureau. For the past 10 years Dan has managed operations and marketing at the Interlaken Inn in Lakeville, CT.
Board Chairman Ronald Jones expressed enthusiasm over the appointment, stating "the formal appointment of a Director is the next step in our plans to solidify the heritage area as a catalyst for preservation of the region's heritage assets". The National Park Service, the Federal agency through which heritage areas are created, has lauded the appointment, and has expressed it's support for this next phase of growth for the organization.
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Beckley Furnace, East Canaan, CT
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Ashley House, Sheffield, MA
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