Laurel Hill Day: 172 Years of Tradition

Laurel Hill Day Marks 172 Years of Tradition

Stockbridge, MA | Saturday, August 30th

Join us as Stockbridge comes together to celebrate the 172nd anniversary of Laurel Hill Day—a beloved tradition honoring the community’s spirit, history, and natural beauty.

The festivities begin at 2:00 PM at Laurel Hill Park, just above Stockbridge Town Hall. Enjoy a thrilling live presentation by Tom Ricardi and his Rescued Raptors. Kids and families can learn how eagles, hawks, and falcons hunt, nest, and survive, while discovering what these top predators reveal about local ecosystems. There will be musical selections from the Stockbridge Festival Chorus, and a keynote address, “Small Town, Bold Vision,” delivered by Jacquelyn Harris, retired Deputy Executive Director of New York City Land Use and a newly elected trustee of the Laurel Hill Association.

Tom Ricardi is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and biologist who founded the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway, MA. A retired Massachusetts Environmental Conservation police officer, he rescues and cares for about 125–150 injured raptors annually, including owls, hawks, eagles, and turkey vultures. Ricardi pioneered the successful captive breeding of permanently injured bald eagles and has released dozens of eaglets into the wild. Through public outreach and educational programs across western New England, he connects communities with these majestic birds and promotes wildlife conservation and habitat awareness.

Jackie is an avid gardener and passionate traveler whose love for nature began in her father’s garden in Atlanta and continued through Brooklyn and the Berkshires. A retired Deputy Executive Director of NYC’s Planning Department, she spent over 35 years advancing community-focused land use policy. Jackie managed Commission meetings, promoted public engagement, and helped shape open space and zoning initiatives citywide. A former Loeb Fellow at Harvard, she holds degrees from Vassar and Baruch. She served on the board of Brooklyn’s Magnolia Tree Earth Center and enjoys exploring historic sites, photographing landscapes, and reading biographies that celebrate human resilience.

The tradition of Laurel Hill Day dates back to 1853, when Mary Hopkins Goodrich, distressed by the disorderly state of Stockbridge, rallied the townspeople to join in her vision of a clean and beautiful town. She called a meeting on a hot August day to discuss how they could collectively improve the streets, public grounds, and Laurel Hill. This marked the beginning of an enduring community effort to preserve and enhance the beauty of Stockbridge.

Hilary Somers Deely, President, Laurel Hill Association

Hilary Somers Deely, President, Laurel Hill Association

Afterwards, join us for complimentary refreshments and the chance to connect with neighbors and friends. We look forward to celebrating this special day with the community! This event is free and open to the public.

Founded in 1853, the Laurel Hill Association of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is the oldest village improvement society in the United States. Our mission is to improve the quality of life and the environment in the town of Stockbridge. Some of our activities include maintaining trails and properties for the public to enjoy, planting trees and flowers to beautify the town, and cooperating with the town and other organizations for community welfare.

Let us know you’re coming:
https://laurelhillassociation.org/news-and-events/laurel-hill-day-rsvp/

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