In April 2020, we introduced our history series, Bidwell Lore. In this feature, we share stories about the Bidwell Family,...
Annual Appeal
Thanks to the support of friends like you, the Bidwell House can continue our mission of providing a personal encounter with 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 a variety of other programs!
Walk the Grounds
Our grounds include 194 acres and over six miles of trails, free to visit year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and more.
December 17, 2024February 3, 2025
Bidwell Lore – The First Christmas Tree in Monterey
Welcome to Bidwell Lore number 196. In honor of the season, we wanted to share a wonderful and timely Bidwell family...
February 6, 2024February 8, 2024
Bidwell Lore – Captain John Hunt, Part II
Welcome to Bidwell Lore number 173! This week, we finish sharing the story of Captain John Hunt, a Stockbridge resident and veteran of...
January 23, 2024January 25, 2024
Bidwell Lore – Captain John Hunt, Part I
Welcome to Bidwell Lore number 172! This week we begin a short two-part series about Captain John Hunt, a Stockbridge resident...
January 9, 2024January 11, 2024
Bidwell Lore – Saying Goodbye to Agrippa Hull
Welcome to Bidwell Lore number 171! This week we wrap up our series on Agrippa Hull with an essay from Electa...
A wonderful video filmed in the summer of 2019, in which BHM Trustee Emeritus 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 194 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.