Once on the endangered species list, the bald eagle has staged something of a comeback in recent years thanks, in part, to the work of people like Tom Ricardi. Tom served more than 30 years with the Division of Environmental Law Enforcement during which time he gained and intimate knowledge of these remarkable birds.

Since his retirement in 2001, Tom has established the western Massachusetts Bird of Prey Facility at his home in Conway , Massachusetts and rehabilitated dozens of injured hawks and owls annually. Tom offers educational presentations, using live, non-releasable raptors, throughout the state.

If Benjamin Franklin had had his way, the Wild Turkey would be our national emblem. Instead, in 1782 Congress declared that the Bald Eagle should fill that role.

Visitors to Birds of Prey will get a chance to see for themselves why this magnificent bird was chosen to represent our country.

Admission just $4 per person.

Also available will be tours of the mansion. Once the home of our 7th governor Christopher gore and his wife Rebecca, this 1806 mansion has been called “the Monticello of the North” and is considered by many the finest example of Federal period architecture in New England.

Admission for the mansion tour is $10, $5 children 5-12.