Berkshire County

Berkshire County is an administrative area in the westernmost part of Massachusetts, bordering Vermont, New York, and Connecticut, covering roughly 600,000 acres. The region stretches across forested hills and valleys with several small towns set among farmland and wooded areas.

The administrative unit was established in 1761 from part of Hampshire County and named after the Berkshire Hills. In the late 19th century, wealthy families from New York and Boston built large summer estates here, shaping the landscape that remains visible today.

The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge displays over 900 original works by the artist, while Hancock Shaker Village presents the lifestyle of this 19th-century religious community. Visitors can walk through restored workshops and living quarters that show how the Shakers built furniture and tended their fields.

Pittsfield in the center serves as the administrative seat and offers bus connections to other towns across the region. Most attractions lie along Route 7, which runs north to south through the area and provides access to museums and historic sites.

Mount Greylock rises to 1,063 meters (3,489 feet) and stands as the highest point in the state, offering views of five states from its summit on clear days. A gray stone war memorial sits atop the peak and serves as a landmark for hikers on the forested trails around it.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1761

Capital city: Pittsfield

Shares border with: Bennington County, Franklin County, Hampshire County, Hampden County, Litchfield County, Dutchess County, Columbia County, Rensselaer County, Northwest Hills Planning Region

GPS coordinates: 42.39613,-73.20989

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:47