In April 2020, we introduced our history series, Bidwell Lore. In this feature, we share stories about the Bidwell Family,...
Visit the House
Tours BY APPOINTMENT begin on Memorial Day, May 29th. Learn about the house, its residents, and early Berkshire history.
Become a Member
Enjoy all that the Bidwell House has to offer, with benefits that include free admission for house tours, reduced event tickets, and more.
Come to an Event
Join us for an upcoming event, including our History Talk series, walks on the Museum grounds, and much more!
Walk the Trails
The Bidwell House grounds include over 190 acres and over six miles of trails, free to visit year-round.
September 19, 2023September 21, 2023
Bidwell Lore – Margaret Hull and Agrippa’s Military Pension
Agrippa’s Military PensionRick Wilcox, 2022 Further to our story from last week about Agrippa’s land holdings and mortgage, we have...
September 12, 2023September 14, 2023
Bidwell Lore – Agrippa Hull Purchases Land From Abraham Bennet
Welcome to Bidwell Lore number 158! This week we look at some land purchases Agrippa made in his late 50s in Stockbridge....
September 5, 2023September 11, 2023
Bidwell Lore – The Home of Elizabeth Freeman
Welcome to Bidwell Lore number 157! We took a short break but are back to continue sharing Agrippa Hull’s story. But, before...
August 15, 2023August 17, 2023
Bidwell Lore – Agrippa Purchases More Land
Welcome to Bidwell Lore number 156! This week we a bit more about Agrippa’s land purchases in Stockbridge. After this installment, we are...
A wonderful video filmed in the summer of 2019, in which Board Member and Professor Emeritus of History at Yale University John Demos talks about why we should care about history. Professor Demos wrote this speech when he was the honoree at our summer 2019 fundraiser.
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About The Museum
The Bidwell House Museum, set in the Berkshire hills of Western Massachusetts, is an elegant Georgian saltbox originally built circa 1760 as a parsonage. Authentically restored, filled with period furnishings, and surrounded by 192 acres of beautiful grounds and hiking trails, the museum tells the story of the early settlement of the Berkshires. Guided tours are available by appointment. The grounds and gardens are open every day, year-round, free of charge.
Don’t forget…
The grounds and gardens are open all year!
You can take a hike on the trails or wander through the lovely heritage garden. We have a detailed trail map to help you find your way. You can always find copies of the map on our porch or download a copy.
Heather Kowalski
Executive Director
Heather Kowalski joined the Bidwell House Museum staff in the fall of 2015 after moving to the Berkshires with her husband and two children. She became Executive Director in 2017. Prior to working at the Bidwell House Museum, Heather served as Registrar for the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh for 11 years and before that she spent six year as Assistant Registrar at the Carnegie Museum of Art, also in Pittsburgh. Heather grew up in nearby Niskayuna, NY and holds a BA in Art History from Penn State University.
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Every Tuesday, read Bidwell Lore, where we talk about the local history and the Bidwell Family.
On Friday, we send out our Museum Update email with details about upcoming events, activities at the Museum, and news about the Bidwell House.