Historic Deerfield

12:00AM / Wednesday, July 03, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Colonial houses along with white steeple churches define our Berkshire towns and village greens. But how many of us go beyond appreciating their aesthetic quality to think about the way in which the design of the homes reflected the evolving social order of their era? The perfect place to study our New England history and heritage is the town of Deerfield, founded in 1669, almost destroyed several times by French and Indian massacres, but always rebuilt. As a result, the historic homes span a period from the early 18th century well into the 19th century. Today a number of homes and other buildings are owned by a foundation known as Historic Deerfield. Tours are conducted by knowledgeable docents who do a fine job of explaining the architecture, furnishings and crafts in the social and historical context of the times. Deerfield is set along the Deerfield River just East of I 91, South of Greenfield and North of Amherst and Northampton. Whatever direction you come from, you will approach the town via Routes 5 & 10. Signs will direct you to The Street, as the main road through town is called, and to parking areas. Stop first at the Information Center just across from the Deerfield Inn, open daily from 9:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas eve and Christmas day. Here you can watch a short orientation program and buy your general admission ticket ($12 for adults; $5 for children 6-17) which will gain you entrance to the 14 historic properties run by Historic Deerfield and will entitle you the a guided walking tour of the village, weather permitting. What differentiates Deerfield from other historic villages like nearby Old Sturbridge Village or Williamsburg, Virginia is that it is a living town with mostly privately owned homes mixed in with the carefully restored properties that make up the the Historic Deerfield Museum. And there are schools, a post office, a fire station and working farms along The Street. The history of the development of Historic Deerfield as a major museum illustrates how the intellectual curiosity, tireless devotion and determination of two people can create something of enduring value for future generations. Henry Flynt, an attorney from Greenwich, Connecticut and his wife, Helen Geier Flynt enrolled their son in Deerfield Academy in 1936. The Flynts became concerned for the future of the historically significant homes and other buildings lining the main streets of the town. In the mid-1940's they purchased the Deerfield Inn and restored it so it might serve as a comfortable hotel for parents of Deerfield Academy students. About the same time, they purchased Allen House for themselves. Over the next 20 years, as the Flynts continued acquiring properties in Deerfield, they became avid antique collectors and experts in historic renovation. Historic Deerfield was incorporated in 1952. Today the foundation runs 14 historic properties decorated with 25,000 objects of furniture, arts, crafts and every day items representative of life in the village from 1650-1850. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Historic Deerfield as a museum of New England history and art. The Flyntâ€™s son, also Henry (Hank) went on to Williams College after finishing at Deerfield Academy. He and his wife, Mary live in Williamstown where, following their parentsâ€™ example, they have logged years of devoted leadership and service to a variety of community organizations including Historic Deerfield. Many of the decorative items are on display at the Flynt Center of Early New England Life. In addition to the permanent collection there currently are two special exhibits: "The Shape of Man: Men's Fashion, 1760-1860," through August 10 and "Delicate Deception: Delftware in Historic Deerfield, 1600-1800,â€ through November. My own house in Williamstown dates back to 1797 although additions have been made to the original construction. My understanding of its design and evolution comes entirely from information imparted by the knowledgeable docents during my visits to Historic Deerfield. Colonial settlers, for example, did not hire architects to design their homes. Instead, they purchased kits containing patterns and materials, as one might do today to make a dress. There werenâ€™t many varieties of patterns available; that is the reason so many colonial homes have similar facades. All the touring is bound to make you hungry. The Deerfield Inn, across from the Information Center, serves lunch at the Terrace Cafe from noon to 2 p.m. For reservations call 774-5587. There are a number of picnic tables available behind the Information Center and outside of several of the museum homes. Or, for more choices, head back to Route 5 and 10. You can work off the calories after lunch by taking the meadow walk or climbing Pocumtuck Ridge. Maps are available at the Information Center. Alternatively, arrive on The Street in the afternoon, tour until the 4:30 p.m. closing of the Museum and then go on a two hour hike. Return to the center of town in time for an elegant dinner at the inn before heading home. Historic Deerfield is one of the least commercial tourist spots Iâ€™ve visited. Other than buying your admission ticket and dining at the Inn the only other place to spend money is the Museum Store, next to the Inn. The store includes many fine reproductions of furnishings and household effects and books and a minimal amount of hokey tourist souvenirs, although there are some. Replicas of historic lighting designed and manufactured by Period Lighting of Clarksburg are sold here. To phone the store call 775-7120. Before leaving town, take a walk around the campus of Deerfield Academy, stopping at the Memorial Hall Museum, open daily, May 1 through October 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your Historic Deerfield ticket is good here too. Information â€¢ The Hall Tavern Information Center is located on The Street, across from the Deerfield Inn. â€¢ Telephone: 774-5581 â€¢ www.historic-deerfield.org Getting There â€¢ Northern and Central Route: Rt. 2 to Rt. 5 and 10 South from Greenfield or Rt. 116 from Adams to Rt. 5 and 10 North. Signs will direct you to The Street. â€¢ Southern Route: Take Rt. 8 and 8a North to Rt. 116. Continue as above. â€¢ If you are in a hurry, take the Turnpike to I 91 North; go to Exit 24 which is Rt. 5 and 10. Go North until you see the Historic Deerfield signs. Along the Way â€¢ Northern Routes: Hike at the Mohawk Trail State Forest on Rt. 2, Charlemont. (www.state.ma.us/dem/forparks.htm) or stop in Shelburne Falls. â€¢ Via the Turnpike: Detour from I 91 to visit Northampton. Dining In and Out â€¢ The Deerfield Inn, 774-5587. â€¢ Several casual and fast food choices along Rt. 5 & 10. â€¢ Picnicking: Behind the Information Center and outside several of the museum houses. Attractions â€¢ Historic Deerfield Museum: 14 properties including the Flynt Center of Early New England Life. â€¢ Memorial Hall Museum on the campus of Deerfield Academy â€¢ Old Burying Ground, Albany Road next to Deerfield Academy. â€¢ Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, Rt. 5 & 10, South Deerfield Outdoors â€¢ Pick up a trail guide at the Information Center. â€¢ Canoe or fish in the Deerfield River.

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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.

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