Clark Art Institute Announces 'American Revolutionaries' Gallery Tour Series

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute has announced a series of gallery talks for April to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The "American Revolutionaries" tours will feature artworks from the Burrows Gallery of American Decorative Arts, including silver from the Henry Morris and Elizabeth H. Burrows collection.

All talks begin at 12 p.m. in the Manton Research Center reading room.

The series opens on April 1 with a presentation by Alexis Goodin, curator of decorative arts. Goodin will discuss silver crafted by Paul Revere Jr. and his father, highlighting Revere's dual role as a silversmith and a figure in the American Revolution.

On April 8, curatorial intern Oliver Hess will lead a session titled "George Washington, American Icon." Hess, a graduate student in the Williams College/Clark Graduate Program in the History of Art, will examine the public's historical fascination with Washington's likeness. The talk will cover formal portraits, print culture, and funerary porcelain created following Washington's death.

The series concludes on April 15 with a discussion on the social and political significance of tea in colonial America. Goodin will return to lead the session, focusing on silver and furniture associated with the era and the role of women in organizing tea boycotts following the Tea Act of 1773.

The "American Revolutionaries" tours are free with gallery admission, and no registration is required.

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.