National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkshire County, Massachusetts facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Berkshire County in Massachusetts is a beautiful area with a rich history! Many special places here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a national list of important buildings, sites, and districts that are worth protecting because of their history, architecture, or what happened there.

There are 177 places in Berkshire County on this list. Ten of these are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. These landmarks are recognized as being important to the history of the entire United States!

Location of Berkshire County in Massachusetts

Famous Homes and Important People
Art, Dance, and Creativity
Historic Districts and Old Buildings
Other Notable Historic Places
Images for kids

Famous Homes and Important People

Berkshire County is home to several places connected to famous Americans.

Susan B. Anthony's Birthplace

The Anthony House in Adams is where Susan B. Anthony was born. She was a very important leader in the movement to give women the right to vote. This house is now a museum where you can learn about her early life and her fight for equality.

Colonel John Ashley House: A Fight for Freedom

The Colonel John Ashley House in Sheffield is a really old house from the 1700s. Something amazing happened here! In 1773, a document called the Sheffield Declaration was written in this house. It said that all people are born free. Later, in 1781, an enslaved woman named Elizabeth Freeman, also known as "Mum Bett," won her freedom in a court case that started from this house. Her case helped end slavery in Massachusetts!

W.E.B. Du Bois Boyhood Homesite

In Great Barrington, you can find the site where W. E. B. Du Bois grew up. He was a very important African American writer, teacher, and activist who fought for civil rights. His childhood home reminds us of his beginnings and his powerful impact on American history.

Herman Melville's Arrowhead

The house called Arrowhead in Pittsfield was the home of famous author Herman Melville. He wrote the classic book Moby Dick while living here. Imagine him looking out at the snowy fields, which he said reminded him of a white whale!

The Mount: Edith Wharton's Home

The Mount in Lenox was the beautiful home of Edith Wharton, a famous American writer. She designed the house and gardens herself. Many of her stories were about the lives of wealthy people in society.

Naumkeag: A Gilded Age Estate

Also in Stockbridge, Naumkeag is a grand country estate built in the late 1800s, a time often called the "Gilded Age." It belonged to the Choate family and has stunning gardens designed by a famous landscape architect. It's like stepping back in time to see how wealthy families lived.

Art, Dance, and Creativity

Berkshire County has also inspired many artists and creative works.

Chesterwood: A Sculptor's Home

Chesterwood in Stockbridge was the home and studio of Daniel Chester French. He was a very famous sculptor who created the statue of Abraham Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.! You can visit his studio and see where he worked.

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival

The Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket is a world-famous place for dance. It started in the 1930s and is still a place where dancers from all over the world come to perform and learn. It's a National Historic Landmark because of its importance to dance history.

MASS MoCA: From Factory to Art Museum

The Arnold Print Works in North Adams used to be a huge factory where they printed designs on fabric. Today, it's been transformed into the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), one of the largest modern art museums in the country! It's a great example of how old buildings can find new life.

Historic Districts and Old Buildings

Many towns in Berkshire County have entire areas that are protected as historic districts. These districts include many old buildings that show what life was like long ago.

Becket Center Historic District

The Becket Center Historic District in Becket includes several old buildings that show the history of this small town. It's like a snapshot of how a New England village looked many years ago.

Blackinton Historic District

In North Adams, the Blackinton Historic District is an area that grew up around a mill. It includes homes and other buildings that were part of the community that worked at the mill.

Church Street-Cady Hill Historic District

Also in North Adams, this district has many historic buildings, including churches and homes, that show the growth of the city over time.

Cranesville Historic District

The Cranesville Historic District in Dalton is another area with historic buildings, showing the development of this part of the town.

East Lawn Cemetery and Sherman Burbank Memorial Chapel

In Williamstown, this historic cemetery and chapel are important examples of old burial grounds and their beautiful architecture.

Elm-Maple-South Streets Historic District

This district in Stockbridge features a collection of buildings that tell the story of the town's development.

Farnams Village Historic District

In Cheshire, this district preserves the historic feel of a village that grew around its industries.

Five Corners Historic District

This area in Williamstown is named for the way several roads meet, and it contains historic buildings that show the early settlement patterns.

Freeman's Grove Historic District

Part of North Adams, this district has historic homes and streets that show how the city expanded.

Freight Yard Historic District

Also in North Adams, this district is part of the Western Gateway Heritage State Park. It includes old railroad buildings and shows the importance of trains to the area's history.

Lee Lower Main Street Historic District

This area in Lee includes many historic buildings along its main streets, showing the town's growth as a center for industry and trade.

Lower Historic District (Washington)

In Washington, this district includes historic buildings along Washington Mountain Road, showing the town's rural past.

Main Street Historic District (Stockbridge)

The heart of Stockbridge is a historic district, with famous buildings like the Red Lion Inn that have been part of the town for centuries.

Middlefield-Becket Stone Arch Railroad Bridge District

This district includes impressive stone arch bridges that were built for the railroad. These bridges are amazing examples of old engineering.

Mill River Historic District

In New Marlborough, the Mill River area has historic buildings that show its past as a small industrial and farming community.

Mill Village Historic District (Williamstown)

This district in Williamstown includes buildings that were part of the town's early industrial development.

Monument Square-Eagle Street Historic District

This central area in North Adams includes the city's monument square and surrounding historic buildings.

Mount Greylock Summit Historic District

Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. The summit has historic buildings and monuments, including a tower, that offer amazing views and tell the story of the mountain's importance.

New Marlborough Village Historic District

This district in New Marlborough preserves the historic character of the village center.

Normal School Historic District

In North Adams, this district is near the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (which used to be a "Normal School" for training teachers). It has many Victorian-style homes.

North Becket Village Historic District

This district in Becket includes historic buildings along its main streets, showing the village's development.

North Egremont Historic District

In Egremont, this district has historic buildings that show the town's early settlement and farming history.

Old Curtisville Historic District

North of Stockbridge, this district includes historic buildings along Route 183, showing the area's past as a small village.

Park Square Historic District (Pittsfield)

The center of Pittsfield is a historic district, with many important buildings around Park Square.

Richmond Furnace Historical and Archeological District

This district in Richmond tells the story of an old iron furnace and the community that grew around it. It's a place where you can learn about early industry.

Shadow Brook Farm Historic District

Near Stockbridge, this district includes a historic farm and estate, showing the area's agricultural and wealthy estate history.

Sheffield Center Historic District

The center of Sheffield is a historic district with many old buildings along its main street.

Sheffield Plain Historic District

This district in Sheffield includes historic farmhouses and other buildings that show the town's agricultural past.

South Egremont Village Historic District

This district in Egremont preserves the historic character of the village, with many old homes and businesses.

South Lee Historic District

This district in Lee includes historic buildings along its streets, showing the development of this part of the town.

Springside Park (Pittsfield)

Springside Park in Pittsfield is a historic park with beautiful landscapes and buildings.

Summer Street Historic District (Adams)

This district in Adams includes historic homes and streets, showing the town's residential development.

Taconic and West Avenues Historic District

In Great Barrington, this district includes historic buildings along its main avenues.

Tyringham Shaker Settlement Historic District

This district in Tyringham was once a settlement of the Shakers, a religious group known for their simple lifestyle and crafts. You can see the unique architecture of their community.

Upper Historic District (Washington)

This district in Washington includes historic buildings along Washington Mountain Road, showing more of the town's rural history.

Upper North Street Commercial District

This district in Pittsfield includes many historic commercial buildings along North Street.

Ventfort Hall

Ventfort Hall in Lenox is a grand "cottage" from the Gilded Age, similar to Naumkeag. It's a beautiful example of the large homes built by wealthy families in the Berkshires.

Westover-Bacon-Potts Farm

This historic farm in Egremont shows the long history of farming in the area.

Williamstown Rail Yard and Station Historic District

This district in Williamstown includes the old railroad yard and station, showing the importance of trains for transportation and trade in the past.

Other Notable Historic Places

Many other individual buildings and sites in Berkshire County are also on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Hoosac Tunnel in North Adams is a very long railroad tunnel that was a huge engineering challenge when it was built.
The Crane and Company Old Stone Mill Rag Room in Dalton is part of a paper mill that has been making paper for U.S. currency for a very long time.
The Old Covered Bridge in Sheffield is a classic wooden covered bridge, a type of bridge that was common long ago.
The Mohawk Trail is a historic road that follows an old Native American path through the mountains.

These are just some of the many fascinating historic places you can find in Berkshire County, each with its own story to tell about the past.

Images for kids

Allen Hotel
William Russell Allen House
Armory Block
Armstrong House
Arnold Print Works
P. J. Barrett Block
Beaver Mill
Berkshire Mill No. 1
Berkshire Life Insurance Company Building
Rev. Adonijah Bidwell House
Blackinton Historic District
The Boardman
Capt. John Brewer House
Charles Browne House
Cheshire Town Hall Complex
Church on the Hill
Church Street-Cady Hill Historic District
Citizens Hall
H. W. Clark Biscuit Company
Clark-Eames House
Clinton African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Coleman Bridge
Congregational Church of West Stockbridge
Cranesville Historic District
Crowley House
Dalton Grange Hall No. 23
W.E.B. Du Bois Boyhood Homesite
Dwight-Henderson House
Philip Eames House
East Lawn Cemetery and Sherman Burbank Memorial Chapel
East Main Street Cemetery
Eaton, Crane & Pike Company Factory
Elm Court
Elm-Maple-South Streets Historic District
Fairview Cemetery
Farnams Village Historic District
Fitch-Hoose House
Five Corners Historic District
Freeman's Grove Historic District
Freight Yard Historic District
Glendale Power House
Golden Hill Bridge
Goodwood
Hall's Tavern
Hancock Shaker Village
Hancock Town Hall
Samuel Harrison House
Hathaway Tenement
Hillside Cemetery
Hoosac Street School
Hoosac Tunnel
Housatonic Congregational Church
Frank Howard Building
Hyde House
Hyde School
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
Johnson Manufacturing Company
Johnson School
Jones Block
Kenmore
Lee Lower Main Street Historic District
Lee Station
Lenox Academy
Lenox High School
Lenox Library
Lenox Railroad Station
Lower Historic District
Mahaiwe Block
Main Street Cemetery
Main Street Historic District
Maple Street Cemetery
Mausert Block
Herman Melville House
Merrell Tavern
Methodist Episcopal Society of Tyringham
Middlefield-Becket Stone Arch Railroad Bridge District
Mill River Historic District
Mill Village Historic District
Mission House
Mohawk Trail
Montville Baptist Church
Monument Mills
Monument Square-Eagle Street Historic District
Morewood School
Mount Greylock Summit Historic District
The Mount
Naumkeag
New Boston Inn
New Marlborough Village
Nichols-Sterner House
Norad Mill
Normal School Historic District
North Becket Village Historic District
North Egremont Historic District
Northeast School
Old Central Fire Station
Old Central High School
Old Churchyard Cemetery
Old Covered Bridge
Old Curtisville Historic District
Old Town Hall
Benjamin Osborn House
Park Square Historic District
Park Street Firehouse
Pettibone Farm
Phillips Woolen Mill
Pilgrim Memorial Church and Parish House
Pittsfield & North Adams Passenger Station and Baggage & Express House
Pittsfield Cemetery
Charles Whittlesey Power House
Providence Court
Quaker Meetinghouse
Ramsdell Public Library
Renfrew Mill No. 2
A.H. Rice Silk Mill
Richmond Furnace Historical and Archeological District
Rising Paper Mill
Rock Ridge
Philemon Sage House
Saint Andrew's Chapel
St. Joseph's School
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Searles Castle
Shadow Brook Farm Historic District
Shaker Farm
Sheffield Center Historic District
Sheffield Plain Historic District
Thomas Shepard House
Eber Sherman Farm
William B. Sherman Farm
Sibley-Corcoran House
Simmons Block
Col. Benjamin Simond House
Society of the Congregational Church of Great Barrington
South Center School House
South Egremont Village Historic District
South Lee Historic District
South Mountain Concert Hall
Springside Park
Stafford Hill Memorial
Stockbridge Casino
Summer Street Historic District
Sykes House
Taconic and West Avenues Historic District
Trinity Episcopal Church
Tyringham Cemetery
Tyringham Shaker Settlement Historic District
Upper Historic District
Upper North Street Commercial District
US Post Office-Great Barrington Main
US Post Office-Williamstown Main
Ventfort Hall
Villa Virginia
Wahconah Park
Wells House
West Stockbridge Grange No. 246
West Stockbridge Town Hall
Westover-Bacon-Potts Farm
Wheatleigh
Wheeler Family Farmstead
Williamstown Rail Yard and Station Historic District
Windsor Print Works
Wollison-Shipton Building

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National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkshire County, Massachusetts Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.