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Guidebook The Berkshires
Location/Region: The Berkshires is in western
Massachusetts, just over two hours from Boston and New York.
Geographical Description: The
Berkshires is shaped like a rectangle that is verticle with
Vermont to the north, New York along the western border,
Connecticut along the southern border and the I-91 corridor to
the east. It's terrain consists of several mountain ranges
north, central and south blending in with approximately 25 state
forests and many ponds and lakes. The Housatonic River and its
tributaries also flow through much of the Berkshires.
White water rafting on the Deerfield River, MA
Climate: The Berkshires experiences four
seasons; temperatures can be as warm as the high eighties in the summer
and below zero in the heart of winter. Summer is the most popular
season, followed by fall and the array of colors, especially from the
state's highest peak, Mount Greylock located in the northern Berkshires.
Population: The population changes drastically
due to tourism with 2.5 million visitors annually. As of 2000, the
estimated (residential) population was around 135,000.
Area History: The Native Americans were the
first settlers here, learning quickly about the fertile lands and great
rivers for fishing. Soon, Europeans arrived and thus farming, paper and
woolen mills became popular employers. The Gilded Age (late 1880s to
early 1900s) brought the wealthy from New York and Boston to build their
summer "cottages" - ornate mansions with colorful gardens and scenic
vistas. Writers such as Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edith
Wharton and artists like Norman Rockwell and Daniel Chester French drew
their inspiration from the Berkshire hills, followed by musicians
including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Arlo Guthrie and James Taylor.
Cultural info: The Shakers established their
village in the mid-1800s, Jacob's Pillow, America's oldest dance
festival found a home (early 1900s) in an abandoned farm in Becket,
theater companies selected their venues close to the affluent and
contemporary artists found their niches for painting, sculpture, pottery
and glass. The country's largest center for contemporary art is located
in North Adams, MA - and is called MASS MoCA. And, The Clarks (from
Singer Sewing Co. fame) established their collection of Impressionist
paintings in a special museum in Williamstown, and the founder of Crane
Paper, Zenas Crane presented a gift to the city of Pittsfield, now
called the Berkshire Museum. Of course there is more, but one needs to
visit the Berkshires.
What to see and do:
Spring - Jazz Festival in Williamstown; Summer - 4th
of July Parade in Pittsfield is a tradition; Berkshire Arts Festival
occurs every July, as well as crafts and antiques festivals in August at
different venues. Labor day weekend features a three day Jazz Festival
at Tanglewood in Lenox; Lenox celebrates the fall with the Tub Parade
and the Apple Squeeze Festival; North Adams celebrates with the Fall
Foliage Parade and Pittsfield's Berkshire Museum hosts the Festival of
Trees every mid-November through December. Stockbridge closes the year
in early December traditionally with the celebration of Norman
Rockwell's painting, "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas".
Tips on visiting: Select mid-week
(Monday-Thursday) for best room rates and other discounts.
Information and photos submitted
by:
Berkshire Visitors Bureau
3 Hoosac Street
Adams, MA 01220
413-743-4500 | 800-237-5747 |
www.berkshires.org
Visit our web site (www.berkshires.org)
for the latest update of fall foliage from our "Leaf Chief" and
other related seasonal activities.
For
information about accommodations, recreation, dining and much
more in this area and many other US destinations, take a moment
to visit our US Travel Directories:
