The Bidwell House Museum: Plan, Form and Construction

Print Story | Email Story
SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Architectural historian Eric Gradoia will discuss the Bidwell House Museum as an example of 18th century New England domestic architecture.
 
The talk will be held on July 26 at 11 am at the Bidwell House Museam.
 
This in-Person event costs $15 for members and $25 for Non-Members $25. Via zoom the event is free for members and $15 for non members.
 
According to a press release:
 
The Bidwell house is a fascinating example of New England vernacular architecture. A product of several building campaigns, the core of the house was built c.1760, with additions made to it at different times throughout the 19th century. This talk will look at the Bidwell house as a regional example of eighteenth century domestic architecture, using it to explore common house types and floor plans of the period, along with the materials and technology used in the construction of these homes. 
 
Eric Gradoia is an Architectural Historian with the Albany firm of Mesick, Cohen, Wilson, Baker Architects. Prior to his current position, Mr. Gradoia was the Director of Historic Preservation at Historic Deerfield, where he was responsible for the repair and restoration of the museum's fifty-five buildings which range in age from the early eighteenth-century to the late twentieth-century. Mr. Gradoia has worked as an adjunct faculty member in the Historic Preservation Program at Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island and the Boston Architectural College (BAC). Early in his career, Mr. Gradoia worked as project manager for the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF), administered by the Massachusetts State Preservation Office.
 
Gradoia has his undergraduate degree in Historic Preservation from Roger Williams University and his M.S in Historic Preservation from the University of Vermont. As a graduate student, Gradoia participated in the US/ICOMOS International Exchange Program as an intern with the National Trust in North Yorkshire, England at Fountains Abbey. Gradoia's primary expertise is in 17th, 18th, and 19th century vernacular architecture, construction technology, and domestic conveniences.
 
This lecture will be in-person at the Bidwell House Museum and will also be viewable via Zoom. Zoom attendees must register in advance in order to receive the Zoom link and due to limited space at the Museum, we do ask in-person attendees to also register in advance.
 
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Monument Mountain Sophomore Wins Congressional App Challenge

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Congressman Neal takes questions from students during his visit. 
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Monument Mountain Regional High School sophomore Jonah Sanabria is the winner of this year's Congressional App Challenge for the 1st Massachusetts District.
 
His Health Advocate application acts as just that in your pocket, Sanabria said, helping resolve one of the biggest problems in health care — miscommunication.
 
"Every day, patients of all ages go to the doctor feeling stressed, confused, scared and uncertain, meaning they often forget what they wanted to say, and they leave without fully understanding what was said or the plan ahead," he said. 
 
"It's not because doctors don't care; it's because the system is set up in a way that makes relaxed communications really hard. Appointments are abbreviated. Patients aren't always sure what they can ask physicians, and nerves often make them forgetful." 
 
The challenge was authorized by Congress in 2015 to promote interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Each representative may host an official computer science competition in their districts. More than 85,000 high school students in all 50 states have since participated, with more than 18,000 in 2025.
 
Jonah beat out nine other submissions in the 1st Mass. His app will be featured on the challenge page and displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. In addition, he will have the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill in the spring at a celebration called #HouseOfCode, where winning teams from across the country hear from lawmakers, interact with sponsors and partners at the STEM Expo, and demonstrate their apps.
 
Before a scheduled doctor's appointment, the program asks the user about their symptoms, health issues, and health goals and organizes and prioritizes questions to ask during the doctor visit. 
 
View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories