Museums Off The Beaten Path

Unique collections from mid-century art to Yiddish culture

Museums in the Berkshires attract lovers of art, architecture, history, and mid-century design. Must-see lists for fine art and historic houses often include MASS MoCA, the Clark, and Naumkeag. But the Berkshires is also home to hidden gems (some seasonal) offering unique experiences you don’t want to miss. Here’s our short list of attractions that are off the beaten path and well worth a visit!

Nestled into the hamlet of Middlefield is DeVries Fine Art International. Master sculptor and artist Andrew DeVries is known for his bronze statues, which can be seen along with paintings that show a love a dance. The grounds host a Sculpture Trail, a half-mile walk through wild flowers  and tree canopies where visitors can experience 40 large bronze statues. Find more outdoor sculpture at TurnPark Art Space, a 16-acre marble quarry turned sculpture park located in West Stockbridge. In addition to sculpture, TurnPark offers exhibition venues, a stone amphitheater, and plentiful outdoor space including a lake. 

Nearby is the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, home to historical artifacts, interactive exhibits, and collections defining the significance of the railroad. Visitors may even have the opportunity to experience a train ride – call ahead for availability. For more local history, visit the beautifully preserved houses on the Berkshire 18th Century Trail such as the Bidwell House in Monterey – Bidwell’s grounds are open year-round and house tours run from Memorial Day to October. Or explore sites on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail celebrating W.E.B. Du Bois, Elizabeth ‘Mum Bett’ Freeman, and others who played pivotal roles in history here and abroad. Choose from 6 trail guides to help you find where to start your historic adventure.

The women’s rights movement was championed in part by social activist Susan B. Anthony. The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in Adams serves to educate visitors about Anthony’s work as a suffragist and abolitionist. Featuring period furnishings and literature of the era, visitors might also be able to partake in an afternoon tea or workshop.   

Did you know the Berkshires is home to papermaking mills dating back to the American Revolution? The Crane Museum of Papermaking in Dalton holds a place in that history as the maker of paper used in US currency. While the original Crane museum is currently closed, check the website for pop-up locations through the summer where you can learn about the art and science of making paper for the paper arts and for banknotes.  The Crane Museum of Papermaking online archives are available year-sound. 

Interested in Yiddish and modern Jewish literature and culture? Visit the Yiddish Book Center on the Hampshire College campus in Amherst. The Center is home to educational programs, lectures, and exhibitions that celebrate Yiddish language and culture through personal stories, objects, and books. If you can’t get there in person, visit the website for virtual tours, talks, and their online bookstore. Within a five minute walk, find the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Carle is well-known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar; the museum is enchanting for both children and adults. Visually stimulating displays, hands-on exhibits, read-alongs, and classes are part of the programming. There is even room to sit and have a picnic lunch!

Contemporary art lovers should plan a stop at the Berkshire Art Museum (opens for the season in June) located near MASS MoCA in North Adams. The museum’s permanent collection features artwork by Eric Rudd, with rotating exhibitions in the galleries. Plan an overnight stay at Hotel Downstreet or The Porches, and relax with cocktails and dinner at The Airport Rooms at TOURISTS for a memorable weekend getaway. 

For mid-century art and design, visit Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio in Lenox. The 46-acre estate off Hawthorne Road near Tanglewood was home to American Abstract artists George L.K. Morris and Suzy Frelinghuysen and their collection of American and European Cubist Art. Beginning in late June through mid-October, take a tour of the house, walk the grounds, or take a painting workshop. Cafes in nearby Lenox and Stockbridge are perfect spots for people watching or refueling for the next stop on your tour of Berkshire museums!

Explore more museums, historic sites, and gardens here. Find places to eat and drink here.

Funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

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