Two homes part of Historic Deerfield are the Sheldon Home (left), built in 1754, and the Hinsdale and Anna Williams House, built in 1730. All Photos/C. Danko © 2011

Head to Deerfield today and you'll find a quiet college town with visitor attractions that include an impressive outdoor museum of historic homes, a butterfly conservatory, and the flagship store for Yankee Candle. It's hard to imagine the town's violent past - when it served as a battleground between British and French troops, colonial settlers, and Native American tribes.

The Deerfield settlement was located in the Connecticut River Valley, but its exposed location made it a target for attacks. One such assault took place in 1675 and resulted in the naming of an area "Bloody Brook." White settlers had displaced the Pocumtuck Native American tribe, and Wampanoag, Nipmuck and Pocumtuck warriors attacked a small troupe of British soldiers, killing about 60 of them. The English retaliated and attacked an Indian gathering area, killing about 200 Native Americans, including women and children.

A second deadly attack occurred on Feb. 29, 1704, when a joint force of French troops and Native Americans walked down from Canada and attacked the town. Fifty-six settlers were killed and more than 100 taken hostage. One of the hostages was Rev. John Williams, who later wrote a book The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion. William's six-year-old son, six-week-old baby and servant were murdered in his home, while his other children and wife were taken hostage along with Williams and brought to Quebec, according the Larry B. Pletcher in his book It Happened in Massachusetts. Williams, along with 58 other prisoners, was released two years later. But his wife had died en route, and some of his children remained in Canada.

Today, the town's history is carefully preserved in monuments, Memorial Hall Museum, and Historic Deerfield, a museum of preserved homes, most built in the 1700s.

Deerfield MA Attractions

Historic Deerfield - A museum of 14 preserved homes from the 18th and 19th centuries is located on a quiet side street off Routes 5 & 10.

Yankee Candle Village - Room after room of culinary treats and home accessories, with a Bavarian Christmas Village, a candle museum, and a restaurant. Located on Routes 5 & 10, just north of Exit 24 on Route I-91.

Memorial Hall Museum - The building was built in 1798 and was converted into a museum in 1880.

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens - See butterflies gathered from all corners of the world.

Deerfield Inn - The historic inn, built in 1884, includes a restaurant and tavern.