Bidwell House: A voyage Of Discovery

MONTEREY, Mass. — The last presentation in the Bidwell House Museum's summer history talk series will be about the story of a Unitarian Missionary in early Berkshire County.

A Voyage of Discovery: A Unitarian Missionary in Early Berkshire County with historian Carl Hammer. In-Person, Members $15 and Non-Members $25. Zoom, Members free & Non-Members $15. Lecture will be held at the Tyringham Union Church and via Zoom. 11 a.m on July 13.

According to a press release: 

In the autumn of 1827, Edward Brooks Hall, the young minister of the new Unitarian church in Northampton obtained support from the American Unitarian Association to undertake a missionary journey to Berkshire County which was dominated by its orthodox Congregational ministerial association and had no Unitarian congregations.  His mission was enabled by Ralph Waldo Emerson who supplied in his absence and also briefly visited the Berkshires.  For twelve days in mid-October Hall traversed the Berkshires from Williamstown to Sheffield, and his journal provides unique insights into conditions in the county and the situation of scattered groups of liberal Christians there, including the Sedgwicks.

Carl Hammer divides the year between Pittsburgh and Easthampton.  He has published widely on medieval and early-modern European history and early western Massachusetts.  He is a Research Associate at the University of Pittsburgh and is completing a new book on liberal Christianity in early western Massachusetts.

This lecture will be held at the Tyringham Union Church at 128 Main Rd in Tyringham. This will be an in-person lecture, with the option to also watch a livestream via Zoom. All Zoom participants will receive a link to access the lecture 1-2 days in advance. Tickets for Zoom attendance must be purchased in advance, but in-person tickets can be purchased at the door. Attendees can register here: https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/a-voyage-of-discovery-a-unitarian-missionary-in-early-berkshire-county/

This program is supported in part by grants from the Otis and Sheffield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

The Bidwell House Museum is open for guided tours from Memorial Day to October. Tours are by appointment only on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m., 1p.m. or 3 p.m. Tours can be booked by calling 413-528-6888 or emailing bidwellhm2@gmail.com. The Museum grounds—194 acres of woods, fields, historic stonewalls, self-guided trails and picnic sites—are open every day, dawn until dusk, free of charge. The program of events can be found on the museum's website: www.bidwellhousemuseum.org.

Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds. 

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Coco's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant.