Wayne Perrea will lead two walking tours to the ruins of the Loudville Lead Mines, which are located where Northampton, Easthampton, Westhampton, and Southampton meet. The mines operated intermittently in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
Perrea, local historian and Loudville native, has spent decades assembling a history of the site's operations. On the walk, Perrea will describe the geology, methods of extracting lead and silver, and the challenges the miners faced.
Lead was found in the area in the 1670s by Robert Lyman, who lived in Northampton and is the namesake for Robert's Hill Conservation Area, Robert's Meadow Brook, and Robert's Meadow Reservoir.
In partnership with the New England Forestry Foundation, which owns the 148-acre Hartnett-Manhan Memorial Forest.