Dr. John Davis to Discuss Historic Deerfield at Williamstown Lecture

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Dr. John Davis, President of Historic Deerfield, will present a lecture titled "Historic Deerfield: Local Legacy, National Relevance" on Saturday, April 26, at 11:00 a.m.

The event will be held in the auditorium at Sweetwood, located at 1611 Cold Spring Road (Route 7) in Williamstown. The Williamstown Historical Museum (WHM) is presenting this free lecture.

Dr. Davis’ presentation will address the connection between Williamstown and Deerfield through individuals and artifacts, the current state of Historic Deerfield, and its summer exhibitions: "Envisioning America: Deerfield Academy’s Collection of Paintings and Drawings" and "Body by Design: Fashionable Silhouettes from the Ideal to the Real."

John Davis holds a PhD from Columbia University and is a graduate of Cornell University. His previous roles include Provost and Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and Research at the Smithsonian Institution, Executive Director of the Terra Foundation for American Art Europe (Paris), and Alice Pratt Brown Professor of Art at Smith College. He has authored, co-authored, or edited seven books, and his research interests encompass landscape painting, religion and visual culture, music and art, African-American representation during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras, the history of artists’ organizations, archival and documentary histories of American art, and 19th-century architecture and urbanism. Davis is an elected member of the American Antiquarian Society.

Historic Deerfield, Inc., was founded in 1952 by Henry and Helen Geier Flynt, parents of Henry N. "Hank" Flynt, Jr. (Williams ‘44), a longtime Williamstown resident and supporter of the WHM. In 1936, the Flynts enrolled their son at Deerfield Academy and subsequently began purchasing and restoring historic houses along "The Street."

Today, Historic Deerfield comprises twelve preserved antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850, featuring collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and decorative arts displayed within the period houses. The site also includes the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, a museum facility with exhibitions and visible storage, and the Henry N. Flynt Library, which contains over 21,000 volumes on the history and material culture of the region.

Additional information is available at www.williamstownhistoricalmuseum.org. The Williamstown Historical Museum can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/williamstownhistoricalmuseum and on Instagram at @WilliamstownHistoricalMuseum.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Cozy Place to Be

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Are you looking for a move-in ready home close to the downtown area? Then this just might be the house you're looking for.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 193 Cold Spring Road.

This 1950 single-family has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house is 2,184 square feet on a little less than an acre of land. The price is $469,900.

The house not only comes with a 3.5-car basement garage but also a detached two-car garage with additional storage space above. The house includes the kitchen appliances like the dishwasher, range, and refrigerator, and has a fireplace, screened porch, and back deck. The home is also generator-ready.

We spoke to Suzette Lyons with Burnham and Gold Real Estate, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Lyons: Location, location, location!! This property is a short distance from downtown Spring Street. It's nestled conveniently away from the road and provides substantial privacy. Plus, the home has a well-maintained exterior and interior.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home? 

What a gem! The workmanship is lovely and shows the home has been loved. There is an abundance of space with four bedrooms for family or work/home office space.

The opportunities are endless.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history? 

The home was built in the mid-1950s by the owner of Yeadon Farm Dairy on the edge of the farm, now the Thornliebank/Buxton Hill neighborhood, with lumber cut from the property.

Along with thick plaster walls and ceilings on the first floor, quality craftsmanship is abundant throughout.

The house has been owned by the same family who built it and the grandson has made every effort to match the original design and style with all of the renovations, including custom-milled natural woodwork for the private second-floor primary bedroom suite. Family pride in ownership is evident in every space of this well-constructed and maintained house now waiting for a new family to call it "home."

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for? 

This home appeals to many buyers. There are four bedrooms sufficient for a full-time family, singles or second homeowners. Opportunity for in-law suite. Also, ample room for a home/office business. Lots of storage space with 3 1/2 garages and additional storage space above the oversized two-car garage.

Are there any standout design features? 

Lots of personal touches with natural woodwork throughout, freshly painted light colors to maximize natural light, new flooring in several rooms. Spacious four-season room for relaxing or home/office use. Also, offers a beautiful primary suite on the second floor.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space? 

A peaceful retreat in the woods. Cozy up to the fireplace on winter nights, enjoy the morning coffee on the back porch or the four-season sunroom. Spend the afternoon gardening in your beautiful yard and connecting with nature. A pet-friendly home offering a fenced yard and durable flooring. A family friendly home directly on the school bus routes.

How would you describe the atmosphere or feel of this home? 

The home has a welcoming feel with natural elements offering a place of comfort and belonging.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 
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