Over the summer, I was shocked to find out that my friends had never heard of my absolute favorite place to go to in Easton. Right next to Easton’s historical district is a patch of land known as Governor Ames Estate, one of the best green spaces in Easton.
Governor Ames Estate is named after, rightly, Governor Oliver Ames. For those of you from Easton, you’ll probably recognize the name, because the local high school is named after Oliver Ames. On the 36 acres of the estate, you’ll find then home Oliver Ames lived in from 1887 to 1890 and his stables.
To get to Governor Ames Estate, pass the old railroad station that was later converted to the historical society, and drive until you come upon a small parking lot. Parking is free, but during especially nice days, the lot is often full. Even if this happens, it’s not very hard to find a spot along the street or across the road. The Ames Estate is open year round, from sunrise to sunset, and I would definitely recommend staying until closing time as it is one of the best spots in Easton to catch a sunset.
The Governor Ames Estate is best described as idyllic. The green grass is dotted with brooks and ponds, the estate full of gently sloping hills. The best way to enjoy Governor Ames Estate is by taking a walk or bike ride through it, either by yourself or with a friend. For those who have never been there before, I encourage you to wander around rather than travel to any set destination. By exploring a little, you can discover anything from fairy houses to crocuses, lily pads to croaking frogs.
The Governor Ames Estate is beautiful in any season. In the winter, you can walk straight across the frozen lake or go sledding behind the old Ames house. In the spring, make sure to keep an eye out for the gorgeous flowers that bloom all over the Estate. In the summer, go underneath the leaves of the enormous willow tree by the entrance and watch the back field sprout in thousands of purple, yellow, and white flowers. And in the fall, take a walk through the crisp breeze as you watch the leaves fall. The best part about the Estate is that it is constantly changing.
There are plenty of beautiful places to visit. One of my favorites is the lake that you come upon immediately after going through the entrance. It can only be described as picturesque, much like other spots in the park. If you have any interest in photography, the Governor Ames Estate is an amazing place to visit, especially for seniors taking prom pictures or senior photos. But if you could care less about the difference between a Canon and an Nikon, the lake is also a great spot for fishing. If you travel alongside the lake for a little, you’ll also come across a small waterfall leading into a brook. Even though you can no longer (officially) walk across it, it still is a great spot to check out. If it is an especially nice day outside, there are also plenty of tables around the lake so you can eat outside.
You can also get a nice view of Langwater Estate, the current residence of a member of the Ames family which is closed off to the public. I would not recommend trying to get the view that I did in this photograph, because I got pricked by about one hundred thorn bushes and banged my leg into a tree.
Despite a few minor injuries, the Governor Ames Estate is a beautiful place to visit for all the nature lovers out there.
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