Like many Massachusetts towns, Marlborough has a long history. Marlborough was incorporated as a town in 1660 and as a city in 1890. Starting in the 1840s, it became known for shoe making. This history continued all the way until 2017 when the Rockport Company shut down its last outlet.  As Marlborough is working to revitalize its main street, it continues to pay tribute to its history through repurposing historic buildings (deli/wine store Vin Bin is in the old bank building), creating a Museum in the Streets (24 informational plaques that tell the story of the Colonial, Civil war, and shoemaking history of the city), and honoring the history through company names (Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting). 

Although there are still some empty storefronts on Main Street, there is a historic charm and a community energy to the city that I think will bring it back to life.  One surprise that I came across while walking around the downtown area is a set of three hand painted sheds featuring “Live, Work, Play”  that serve as a weekend pop up for local artisans. They also have set out some picnic tables and some games for people to come by and enjoy the day. 

Another tiny, and I mean teeny tiny, piece of history is at the United Memorial Chapel for all Faiths.  Standing at only 5 feet by 11 feet, this church is sometimes called the smallest church in the United States. Tucked on the side of a busy street, it has been overlooked for some time; and while I was hoping to go inside and appreciate the small space, it was locked.  I got a chance to look through a side window, but it didn’t seem like there is much to the inside as well.  Though it’s cool to see buildings like this, I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit. 

However, I would highly suggest a visit to the historic buildings and grounds at the Wayside Inn.  I parked along the road outside of the Old Grist Mill and walked from there around the trails. The picturesque grist mill caught my eye right away. With the waterfall cascading beside the red water wheel into a stream that meanders through the property, the gray stone of the building, and the rustic wooden fence in front of the mill, the space is a photographer’s paradise. 

There were a few people who set up chairs to read and relax in the space for the afternoon, which looked like a lovely way to spend some time. The grist mill is also open for the public to walk through. While the interior is not fully turned into a museum, it does have a few informational plaques and artifacts within the 2 story space.  

From there I walked through the fields past the old root cellar and some other smaller historic properties. I arrived just across the street from the Wayside Inn at an old barn turned farm stand/antique store. The owner has kept the charm of the structure while also filling it with a collection of clothing, home goods, and plants.  Although I wasn’t dressed for an interior Wayside Inn visit, I enjoyed a quick rest at the wooden seats they have set up under the canopy of trees at their entrance.  As I made my way back to the grist mill, I visited the Redstone schoolhouse. While this wasn’t open to the public during my visit, I enjoyed looking through the windows to see the set up. It looks like it is being used to some extent as an educational space. 

The Wayside Country Store was a short drive away.  The large historic building with its tall pillars and white wooden clad facade brought me right back to the past.  The store is divided into two spaces: an extensive candy shop with all the chocolate and pay by the piece candies you could ever want and a general store filled with townie collectables, kitschy gifts, and some local food items. While I was able to resist most of the kitsch, when I came upon their dill pickle barrel, I had to give in.  

Nearby is Trombetta’s Farm.  An ice cream stand, garden shop, antique store, and indoor mini golf place all housed in one building.  It is the kind of place that has something to look at in every direction.  Although I find that most ice cream stands are lacking in attractive seating options, this place has every option you could want: from the swinging benches to the flower decorated trellised patio outside, from the 50s diner style booths to the shade covered trellis inside.  I also was intrigued by the indoor mini golf set up. Because it was a beautiful day when I visited, they removed the windows so that the mini golf was more in a covered patio than a building.  I can imagine that this place would be great in the cold of the winter or in the heat of the summer.  Even though the holes themselves weren’t overly decorated, the space was full of greenery and water features.  

For more water features, visit the newly constructed (opened May 2024), floating walkway across Lake Williams. This walkway completes the 1.5 mile loop around the lake. The wooded section is peaceful and easy to navigate, and while the walkway has the noise of neighboring rt 20, the novelty of walking on a floating path – with the soft bouncy and slight sway – makes it a meditative experience in itself. 

Another interesting walk in the area is the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. On the surface it looks like it will be just another walk through the woods until you come across one of the many large concrete bunkers. These bunkers date back to World War II where they housed live ammunition. The bunkers are now locked down and covered in moss & graffiti, which I think adds to their charm.