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2006 Population.......................1,996
2005 Registered voters................1,455
1999 Per capita income..............$25,605
2006 Average tax bill................$3,683
1999 Median family income...........$62,917
2003 Budget......................$3,745,694
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Town Hall..(413)369-4235, (413)369-4237 fax
Town Clerk................Virginia Knowlton
Treasurer.................Elizabeth Braccia
Police Chief.............Kenneth D.Ouimette
Fire Chief.....................Robert Baker
School Supt.....................Regina Nash
Selectboard..........Joseph Stregowski, Jr.
Christina Conklin
John V. Lochhead
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Conway State Forest, a 1,946-acre forest in southern Conway,
is accessible from West Whately Road, which leaves Route 116 just east of
the village. There are hiking and horseback trails, and more than four miles
of streams for trout fishing. It also offers hunting and winter
activities. Call 413-268-7098 for further information.
South River State Forest, encompasses 500 acres in Conway and
is accessible via Shelburne Falls and Bardwells Ferry roads, north of Route
116. There are picnic tables along the South River to its confluence with the
Deerfield River, plus several tent sites. All facilities are primitive in
nature. Fishing is available in the South, Bear and Deerfield rivers.
Hunting is also allowed. Call 413-339-5504 for further information.
Conway Historical Society, located on Main Street, features a
notable collection of items from Conway's cutlery and tool factories,
woolen mills and shoe factories. Open Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m., July through
Labor Day weekend and by appointment.
Burkeville
Covered Bridge, on Route 116, about a mile north of the center of town.
More than 120 years old, the 107-foot bridge that spans the South River is
undergoing restoration.
Festival of the
Hills, an annual celebration of foliage season traditionally held
in town at the end of September. It includes crafts, games, food, music,
special events and a 10-kilometer foot race.
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Conway was originally part of the Southwest District of Deerfield.
Settlement of the area commenced when Cyrus Rice, from Barre, built a
house there. The second settler was Josiah Boyden of Grafton.
By 1767, when Conway was incorporated, there were already about 200
people living in the district. In that year, the first grist mill was built
by Caleb Sharp, who was of Indian and African descent.
The town is named for General Henry Conway, a leader in the House of
Commons during repeal of the Stamp act. Marshall Field, a Chicago
merchant, was born in Conway and gave Marshall field Memorial Library in honor
of his parents.
In 1837, Conway had a population of 1,445. It had a cotton mill and a
woolen mill as well as tanneries and sawmills. The cotton mill employed "8
males and 20 females," according to records, and manufactured 151,140 yards
of cloth. The woolen mill employed 18 people and produced 3,500 yards of
cloth.
The large industries along the South River, including several woolen
mills, were destroyed in 1869 when the reservoir dam gave way.
Sheep raising was an important occupation and it was estimated that in
1837 there were 4,380 Merino and other kinds of sheep in the township. |
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