The Marlborough Town Forest

The town forest in Marlborough was established in 1926 on 20 acres of land purchased by the town. Part of the town forest was set aside from the town poor farm. (Town poor farms were a widely practiced means of welfare throughout New England up until the end of the 19th century. Responsibility for welfare then shifted from towns to county or state governments, providing the opportunity for communities to retain ownership of town farm woodlots and convert them to town forest). An additional 159 acres were acquired over the course of several years.

Over 41,400 trees were planted in the forest.