gilbertville covered bridge

A real-;life covered bridge, just off Route 32. Gilbertville village in Hardwick has a history that included a large mill factory on the water (like so many other 19th century towns in Massachusetts. The factory buildings are still there in partial states of disrepair. The bridge is the real thing. Stop by the local Route 32 bakery...exceptional baked goods.

If you're in Gilbertville, MA stop by and take a look at one of the oldest standing AND still in use covered bridges. Not too many of these left... Neat mill stack in the back ground makes for great pictures especially with the rolling waters running through under the bridge. When we stopped by it wasn't sectioned off so we could drive right through! Pretty cool~

The covered bridge in Gilbertvill is a out of the history book`s. It is so beautiful and not to many of them left. When I was a little girl my dad would bring my mom and I to drive over it. My mom loved it, because they did not have them in California where she grew up. It`s still there, till this day and when we drive by it, I get the little girl inside me again.

More than two decades ago, my husband and I designed our honeymoon around mapping and finding covered bridges across New England. In most, we kissed for luck at the halfway point, and at a few that ssh, we're not tellin', we may, may have carved our initials. Kudos to Gilbertville for its commitment to revitalizing this charming conduit of early New England commerce and travel. It's worth a shady stroll on a summer's day, or better yet, a visit during fall foliage when its barn reds over a tumbling waterway make for perfect photo opps.

There aren't that many covered bridges left in New England so it is nice to have one near home. These are historical treasures to be enjoyed by all. Unfortunately from a structural standpoint this one seems to have it's problems.Regardless, if you are out and about headed up Route 32 to Hardwick or the Quabbin, take five minutes out of your busy life and pay a visit. It crosses the Ware River which when I grew up was so polluted it could be smelled from a huge distance. Today the river is very clean, fishing is pretty good and the bridge makes a nice companion!

Who knew there was a real live covered bridge in Central Mass? Not worth a destination drive but if you're in the area.....

The covered bridge is excellent but blocked off once again. They continue to use the same eng with the same design spending money....then it's up & fails again....time to open eyes and do it once and forall....do it right once...then all could enjoy

Wandering about Gilbertville we found, not that it was lost, the wooden covered bridge. I was impressed by the condition of the bridge it has not been allowed to decay as many have in New England.

it's a bridge, not very long, not spectacular in any way but it's nice and just restored and it's a nice weekend drive

Built in 1886, Gilbertville's covered bridge is located on Bridge Street just off Main Street. You'll find it just south of the major mill complex that dominates the lower village. The truss system was patented in 1820 by architect Ithiel Town and is called the Town Truss System. The design is characterized by simple planks fastened diagonally in a criss-cross system with wooden pins (or tree nails).The bridge suffered during the hurricane of 1938. It was the scene of a dramatic rescue and was rammed at the bottom by several large oak trees that were carried downstream. The trees caused serious damage, but it was repaired. The structure's hundredth anniversary was celebrated by extensive restoration by the Graton family of Vermont, the last of the covered bridge builders. These builders were descended from Milton Graton, a lgend in the Vermont covered bridge building industry. At present, you can't drive across the bridge because the Massachusetts Highway Department closed it in 2002 citing that it couldn't handle certain load limits. A grant has been authorized to make it safe for trucks and emergency vehicles. Repair of the bridge goes out for bid in 2009.Pedestrians have free access to the bridge and can photograph from both sides. Ruins of old railroad sidings and factory outbuildings are visible just below the bridge site. The spot is well worth a visit.