The museum is now open Thursdays-Saturdays from 10:00am-2:00pm! Stop in to enjoy our Exhibits, explore our Collection, and dive into our local history!
Upcoming Events
32 NEW ASHFORD ROAD, WILLIAMSTOWN, MA
Saturday, May 9: “Williamstown in 1776”
Over the last eight years, local historian Dustin (Dusty) Griffin has published four collections of essays on the history of Williamstown and Williamstown, the most recent of them Williamstown and Williams College: Volume 4, in June 2025. He calls the essays “microhistories,” deep dives into the history of a particular place, a notable person, or a significant event. He has often given talks to audiences in Williamstown on local history over the last ten years. He is now at work on new essays, including one which forms the basis of today’s talk, “Williamstown in 1776.”
Before turning to local history, Dusty was Professor of English at New York University, and the author of nine scholarly books on18th-century English literature. He is a1965 graduate of Williams College, and a former trustee of the college. He is also chair of the Williamstown Historical Commission,which is currently preparing online tours of historical houses and sites in Williamstown, including a “1776 tour.” Dusty and his wife, Gale, have lived in Williamstown since 2003.
Past Events
“Williamstown: The First Billion Years.” Mark Brandriss (Smith College)
SATURDAY, APRIL 18th, 2026 11:00AM
32 NEW ASHFORD ROAD, WILLIAMSTOWN, MA
The rocks and landscapes that surround us reveal the story of Williamstown’s geologic past. What are these rocks and landscapes telling us? How did events hundreds of millions of years ago eventually shape the mountains and valleys that we love and admire today? Prof. Mark Brandriss is a geologist with a special interest in igneous rocks and magmas, recently retired after many years teaching at Smith College in Northampton. He has lived in Williamstown since 1996 and enjoys hiking, birdwatching, and admiring the geologic wonders of our region.
“Stockbridge-Munsee Community: Past, Present, Future.” Williams College Students
SATURDAY, APRIL 25th, 2026 11:00AM
32 NEW ASHFORD ROAD, WILLIAMSTOWN, MA
Join us at the Williamstown Historical Museum on Saturday, April 25th at 11am for an introduction to the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation, whose ancestral homelands encompass Williamstown, the Berkshires, and parts of the greater northeastern U.S.
Williams College students from the Mohican Homelands Education Initiative will lead this program as part of the Tribal–College partnership between Williams College and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. The Initiative works with Tribal offices to design curriculum about the Community’s history and culture through the present-day, and has presented to over 600 learners in school classrooms and community spaces since 2023.
Today a sovereign Tribal Nation based in Wisconsin, the Community has endured several forced removals while maintaining strong connections to these homelands. We’ll explore the Community’s rich history in our region, life on the present-day reservation, and ongoing cultural and political presence.
Harvest Fair 2025
Our biggest event of the year with almost 500 people in the community enjoying a wonderful day.