Williamstown

Williamstown is a small town in Berkshire County in western Massachusetts, located among wooded hills near the borders of Vermont and New York. The town spreads along several streets lined with nineteenth-century wooden houses and a few shops in the center.

The settlement appeared in the mid-eighteenth century as a post along an old trade route and was later named after an early benefactor. The community grew after the founding of a higher education institution at the end of the same century.

Williams College, founded in 1793, shapes the town's identity through its academic programs, art collections, and year-round educational activities.

The town is reached by highways that pass through rural areas, and in winter snow can slow travel. Visitors on foot will find short walks in the center and marked trails in the nearby hills.

A museum at the edge of town displays European and American art in bright rooms overlooking meadows and forest. The collection includes works from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century and sits on extensive grounds with walking paths.

Location: Berkshire County

Inception: 1749

Elevation above the sea: 194 m

Shares border with: North Adams, Berlin, Petersburgh, Pownal, Clarksburg, Adams, New Ashford, Hancock

Website: http://williamstown.ws

GPS coordinates: 42.71333,-73.20944

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:13