Great Barrington Historical Society and Museum

Great Barrington Historical Society and Museum Together, they tell the stories of the town and help to educate and engage our students, community, and visitors.

Our permanent collection consists of over 5,000 artifacts, including paintings, prints, photographs, negatives, postcards, advertising, maps, theater programs, ephemera, literature, manuscripts, account books, business records, photographic equipment, glass slides, porcelain, awards, medals, textiles, clothing, bedspreads, weaponry, souvenirs, models, glass, bottles, containers, signs, folk art, N

ative American items, furniture and tall clocks. The Society's ongoing mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the unique history of Great Barrington.

🇺🇸 As we continue celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, don’t miss Rebel Town — a locally created musical developed righ...
06/16/2026

🇺🇸 As we continue celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, don’t miss Rebel Town — a locally created musical developed right here in the Berkshires! 🎭✨

Written by Berkshire native John Alan Segalla with music by Michael Siktberg, this inspiring production features local actors, musicians, and community members. Catch it at the Kathleen McDermott Auditorium at Monument Mountain Regional High School 📍 July 10–19.

While you're celebrating local history, be sure to visit our "Freedom Isn't Free" exhibit 🇺🇸 at the museum every Saturday & Sunday from 10 AM–2 PM, and stop by our Barn & Tag Sale 🛍️ July 4th & 5th!

Support local history. Support local talent. Celebrate freedom. ❤️🤍💙

Ever wonder why this iconic WWII uniform is called the Ike Jacket? Named after General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the M-1944 ...
06/16/2026

Ever wonder why this iconic WWII uniform is called the Ike Jacket? Named after General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the M-1944 Field Jacket was born out of a need for a uniform that was as practical in the field as it was sharp for formal reviews.

Eisenhower famously disliked the long, bulky trench coats of the era, preferring a waist-length design that allowed for better movement and a smarter silhouette. This specific jacket in our collection tells a powerful story through its details: from the Belgium Croix de Guerre ribbon to the Amphibious Assault Engineer Training patches visible on the display. Each stitch and pin represents a chapter of service and a connection to the global effort of the 1940s.

Come by the museum to see these archival details up close and explore the personal stories behind the uniforms in our collection. History isn't just in books; it’s in the wool and thread of the things our community members wore.

Calling all collectors and creators! We are looking for vendors to join us for our July 4th Weekend Barn and Yard Sale a...
06/15/2026

Calling all collectors and creators! We are looking for vendors to join us for our July 4th Weekend Barn and Yard Sale at the Wheeler Farmstead. This is a fantastic chance to find new homes for your unique items while enjoying the historic atmosphere of our grounds. Whether you specialize in antiques, handmade crafts, or vintage finds, we’d love to have you set up shop with us.

The sale runs Saturday and Sunday, July 4th and 5th, from 9:00am to 3:30pm at 817 South Main Street. Booth fees are just $35 for the weekend. To register or ask any questions, please reach out to Al at 413-248-1169 or email [email protected]. Your participation directly supports our mission of preserving Great Barrington’s rich history for the future!

Nothing beat a sunny day at the farmstead for a little treasure hunting! 🏺 Our tag sale was about more than just great f...
06/12/2026

Nothing beat a sunny day at the farmstead for a little treasure hunting! 🏺 Our tag sale was about more than just great finds—it was about catching up with neighbors and celebrating our community spirit.

Every purchase helped us keep the lights on and preserve the history of the Wheeler Farmstead. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shopped, donated, and supported the museum. We loved seeing our community come together and look forward to the next one!

06/10/2026

The Berkshire County Historical Society’s Melville Press has announced the publication of Ye Trodden Path, a KNOX TRAIL collaboration of local historians and authors Bernard Drew of Great Barrington; Gary Leveille of the Great Barrington Historical Society; Rob Hoogs, Monterey Historical Society; Ron Bernard, Sandisfield Historical Commission; and Tom Ragusa, Otis Historical Commission.

A FREE BOOK TALK AND SIGNING WITH THE AUTHORS WILL BE HELD on WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 5:30 PM AT ARROWHEAD in Pittsfield.

Ye Trodden Path commemorates the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox’s epic 300-mile journey from Fort Ticonderoga, New York, to Boston, Massachusetts, delivering artillery to General George Washington to defeat British troops surrounding the city. It looks specifically at the sections of the Knox Trail that traversed the hills and valleys of the Berkshires and includes new scholarship by several historians that adds to and corrects previous accounts of the Noble Train of Artillery. The book details the road’s use before Knox came through, the taverns and people along the way, and how the road has been re-mapped through some of the towns providing a more precise route. The fifty-six-page book includes a six-foot, color fold-out map considered the definitive route taken by Knox as researched by Tom Ragusa.

Every stitch, patch, and ribbon on a Navy uniform tells a story of service, sacrifice, and pride. At the Great Barringto...
06/09/2026

Every stitch, patch, and ribbon on a Navy uniform tells a story of service, sacrifice, and pride. At the Great Barrington Historical Society, we are honored to house these pieces of history that once traveled across oceans.

Our collection features a range of 20th-century Navy uniforms, complete with service ribbons and medals that mark specific chapters of a sailor's journey: from the Philippine Liberation to the American Theater of WWII. These aren't just artifacts; they are reflections of the bravery shown by those in our community who answered the call of duty at sea.

Service ribbons are a visual record of a veteran’s career. Seeing them up close in our museum allows us to pause and reflect on the individual stories behind the ranks. Whether it’s the crisp "Crackerjack" style or the intricate details of a Victory Ribbon, each piece preserves a legacy that we are proud to celebrate and share.

Come visit our museum to see these uniforms in person and learn more about the local men and women who served in the Navy. We are open and ready to share these incredible stories with you.

Did you catch our Liberty Tree dedication recently? It was such a special day at the museum! On May 23rd, we officially ...
06/06/2026

Did you catch our Liberty Tree dedication recently? It was such a special day at the museum! On May 23rd, we officially dedicated our new Liberty Tree and Liberty Pole, honoring the 250th anniversary of our nation's journey toward independence. Seeing the Berkshire Fife and Drum Corps and our local Boy Scouts together really brought the spirit of Great Barrington’s history to life.

The Liberty Tree has always been a powerful symbol of community and resilience, and we’re so proud to have this new landmark right here at the Wheeler Family Farmstead.

But that's not all, our brand new exhibit, ‘Freedom Isn’t Free,’ is now officially open! It’s a moving, five-room journey through American history, from the Revolutionary War all the way to modern conflicts. You’ll see everything from Civil War memorabilia and WWII uniforms to personal letters from local veterans. It’s an incredible way to connect with the stories of those who served.

Come say hi and explore the exhibit this weekend! We’re open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, and we’d love to share these stories with you.

A soldier’s gear: from canteens to unit patches: tells a story of identity and honor. 🎖️📦These personal family artifacts...
06/04/2026

A soldier’s gear: from canteens to unit patches: tells a story of identity and honor. 🎖️📦

These personal family artifacts are currently on loan to the museum. Stop by to see the tactile details of our history.

Wow! What an incredible weekend at the Wheeler Farmstead. 🏺📚Our tag sale was a great success, and we owe it all to our a...
06/01/2026

Wow! What an incredible weekend at the Wheeler Farmstead. 🏺📚

Our tag sale was a great success, and we owe it all to our amazing community. The barns were open, the sun was out today, and it was so wonderful to see so many of you exploring the treasures we had on display.

From vintage signs to new ones, old tools to rare books and unique collectibles, there really is a piece of history in every single item. We love knowing these pieces are finding new homes where their stories will continue.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, volunteered, and supported the Great Barrington Historical Society. Your support helps us keep preserving the local history we all love!

Missed out this time? Don’t worry: stay tuned for our next one!
📸Photo credits: Liz Krol at Krol Innovations, Inc.

Get ready for a treasure hunter's dream! 🏺📚 Join us this weekend for our Antiques, Estate Sale, Flea Market, and Book Sa...
05/28/2026

Get ready for a treasure hunter's dream! 🏺📚 Join us this weekend for our Antiques, Estate Sale, Flea Market, and Book Sale fundraiser.

Explore vintage finds, old tools, and plenty of unique treasures: plus, enjoy FREE tours of our Historic Museum and Farmstead while you're here!

📍 817 South Main St (Route 7), Great Barrington
Saturday & Sunday | 9 AM - 4 PM

All proceeds benefit the Great Barrington Historical Society. We can't wait to see you there!

Address

817 South Main Street PO Box 1106
Great Barrington, MA
01230

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8am - 10am
Thursday 8am - 10am
Saturday 10am - 2pm
Sunday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

(413) 591-8702

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Great Barrington Historical Society and Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Great Barrington Historical Society and Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category