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Please add profiles for those who were born, lived or died in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Official Website
The Mahican (Muh-he-ka-neew) Native American tribe lived in the area that now makes up Berkshire County until the early 18th century, when the first English settlers and frontiersmen appeared and began setting up farms and homesteads. On April 25, 1724, “The English finally paid the Indians 460 pounds, 3 barrels of cider, and 30 quarts of rum for what is today Berkshire County.” This deal did not include modern Sheffield, Stockbridge, Richmond, and Lenox, which were added later. Berkshire County remained part of Hampshire County until 1760.
In the 19th century, Berkshire County became popular with the American elite, which built what they called "cottages" throughout the countryside. The Gilded Age ended in the early 20th century with the income tax, World War I, and the Great Depression. In the 20th, century some of these cottages were torn or burned down, while others became prep schools, historic sites, or bed-and-breakfast inns.
Today Berkshire is known throughout the East Coast and the country as the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It includes attractions such as Tanglewood, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Mass MOCA, and Hancock Shaker Village.
Adjacent Counties
- Bennington County, Vermont
- Franklin County
- Hampshire County
- Hampden County
- Litchfield County, Connecticut
- Dutchess County, New York
- Columbia County, New York
- Rensselaer County, New York
Cities, Towns & Communities
Adams | Alford | Becket | Cheshire | Clarksburg | Dalton | Egremont | Florida | Great Barrington | Hancock | Hinsdale | Housatonic | Lanesborough | Lee | Lenox | Monterey | Mount Washington | New Ashford | New Marlborough | North Adams | Otis | Peru | Pittsfield (County Seat) | Richmond | Sandisfield | Savoy | Sheffield | Stockbridge | Tyringham | Washington | West Stockbridge | Williamstown | Windsor
Cemeteries
Links
USS Berkshire County LST-288
National Register of Historic Places
Berkshire Family History Association
