Adams Historical Commission Talks Susan B. Anthony Signage

The Historical Commission is hoping to raise Susan B. Anthony's profile with better signage.

ADAMS, Mass. — Susan B. Anthony may be getting more visibility in the town of her birth.

The Historical Commission met Wednesday afternoon with commission liaison Selectman Joseph Nowak to discuss signage that would make tourists more aware of the civil rights activist.

"I just think Susan B. Anthony being so prominent in our history, there should be a little more focus put on her in this community," Nowak said.

Anthony was born at the family home on East Road in 1820; her family later moved but the house was converted into a museum about her a number of years ago.

Nowak said there has been additions to the "Welcome to Adams" signs that notify people driving through that Adams is the birthplace of Anthony, but Nowak advocated for something with more information on it that is "historic looking in nature."

"I'd like to see some really classy signs when you come into Adams saying 'This is The Birthplace of Susan B. Anthony,' " Nowak said. "It would be nice to have a plaque with a picture of her that tells a little bit of history because it is certainly a drawing card."

Commissioner Eugene Michalenko said the birthplace museum has been pushing for more signage and he attributed much of the neglect of Anthony to conflict between the town and past managers of the museum.

Nowak said he thinks a lot of the conflict came from the strong pro-life stance the museum's organizers felt was representative of Anthony, a newspaper editor and women's suffrage advocate.

Chairman Ryan Biros said this perspective has diminished with new management.

"They are trying to, not bury it, but get a little bit away from it," he said.

The commission agreed with a new town administrator they may be able to rekindle the conversation.

Nowak also asked the commission if they would be opposed to installing a lightning rod on the 1782 Quaker Meeting House (which Anthony attended) in the Maple Street Cemetery to prevent any damage to the building.

"It would just be a shame if it ever got hit by lightning, and … it's out there in the open," Nowak said. "I don't think it would be anything too intrusive that would diminish the character of the house."

The commissioners agreed it was a good idea and said they would look into it.

Friday Afternoon Fire Destroys Cheshire Barn

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
04:40PM / Friday, April 03, 2026

 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A fire on Friday afternoon destroyed a barn at 920 Sand Mill Road.

 

The building is a total loss but firefighters were able to prevent the flames from reaching another nearby barn and the house at Stoney Brook Farm. 

 

Fire Chief Thomas Francesconi said the fire was called in 12:39 p.m. by the homeowners "but it already had a foothold before they noticed it."

 

Responding firefighters found the L-shaped structure fully involved. Adams, Lanesborough, Savoy and Windsor fire companies responded and Williamstown Fire covered the station.

 

The tankers were used to transport water from a nearby brook until a pool could be set up near the scene and water pumped into it. 

 

Northern Berkshire EMS responded and one firefighter was treated at the scene and then taken to Berkshire Medical Center. 

 

Francesconi said there were no other injuries but the owners told him there were 18 chickens in the barn. The structure also had equipment and other materials in it, including a Jeep.