Sometimes you need to visit a spot more than once to take it all in. This has been my experience hiking at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The first time I hiked Maudslay, I found it to be a beautiful place to enjoy trees, flowers, and scenic views. The trails were walkable, and the hike was fairly easy to complete. What I didn’t know then was that the grounds were formerly the lavish home of the prominent New England Moseley family. When I went back to hike a second time, I realized that there are ancient relics of the family’s existence hiding in plain sight all over the park. Read on to hear more about my adventure exploring one of the best parks in Massachusetts.

What is now a gorgeous 16-mile state park was once the location of the extravagant estate of Frederick Strong Moseley, a rich banker, corporate director, and philanthropist.

The property was purchased by the Moseley family in the 1860s and added to throughout the early-to-mid 1900s.

As you wander through the property, you will notice several remains of walls and building foundations.

Be sure to download a park map or grab one at the visitor's center so you can identify the different estate houses and structures.

This wrought iron gate, located at the edge of the park, is one of the better-preserved relics of the original estate.

Beware - there are rumors that spooky things have happened to people who drive by these gates late at night.

There were several greenhouses on the property. All that remains are wooden frames.

However, the park still maintains beautiful gardens that you can walk through.

You may notice a bunker-like structure built into the hill. Now colorfully decorated with graffiti, this small building is thought to have once been the family’s root cellar.

if you venture inside, you can definitely feel the drop in temperature that would make it ideal for storing the family's home-grown fruits and veggies.

While it's not clear exactly who Akela was, it appears that the Moseleys were animal lovers. This well-preserved pet cemetery can be found hidden among one of the park’s many trails.

In 1985, the state of Massachusetts purchased the estate and turned it into a state park, renamed Maudslay. By this time, the main buildings were torn down or destroyed and much of the grounds were in disrepair.

Today the park is a gorgeous spot for hiking, cross-country skiing, biking, and horseback riding.

More information about Maudslay State Park in Massachusetts can be found on the Mass.gov website. If you have visited Maudslay, we would love to hear all about your experience. For more hikes with a side of history, be sure to visit Ford's Folly in Sudbury and Greycourt State Park, in Methuen.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/massachusetts/greycourt-park-castle-ma/

Looking for a great water bottle to bring with you while you hike? Check out this insulated canteen water bottle from L.L. Bean.