Sheffield Historical Society

The Sheffield Historical Society was organized in 1972 by a group of local residents who sought to preserve the story of the oldest town in Berkshire County. It is a volunteer driven, nonprofit corporation, actively involved in local historical research that also offers a variety of educational programs for every age group.

The Society’s goal is to stimulate interest in local history and to interpret the town’s past. It collects and preserves records and materials relevant to the town, which includes the hamlets of Sheffield and Ashley Falls, exhibits them and makes them available for exhibits, research, and educational program. The mission of the Sheffield Historical Society is to promote a wider understanding of the people and events that preceded us in this area, and to preserve and transmit that heritage to current and future generations.

The Society maintains seven historic structures. The 1774 Dan Raymond House is both a period museum and houses the Society’s main office. Other buildings on the campus include the 1820 Parker Hall Law Office; a 19th century Carriage Barn that contains an exhibit of agricultural and related tools; an 1876 brick Education Center which was an early Sheffield greenhouse; an unusual early 19th century double chamber Greek Revival Smokehouse; the early 19th century Hatter’s Shop which now contains the collection of the Mark Dewey Research Center; and an circa 1834 commercial building, known locally as the Old Stone Store, which now functions as the Society’s gift shop and gallery.

The Society’s campus is located in the center of historic Sheffield, Massachusetts on Rte. 7, just north of the Connecticut state line and immediately south of Great Barrington. It is easily accessible from all major highways in the region including Interstate 90 (Mass. Pike) and is served by two regional airports, Albany, NY and Hartford, CT as well as by public bus lines.