In April 2020, we introduced our history series, Bidwell Lore. In this feature, we share stories about the Bidwell Family,...
Museum Hours
While the house is closed for tours in the off-season, the trails and grounds are open daily, free of charge, year-round.
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.
Celebrate the Knox Trail
Attend a Knox Trail talk or visit the exhibition at the Monterey Library.
January 20, 2026January 20, 2026
Bidwell Lore – Monterey Schooling in the 18th Century, Part II
Welcome to installment 221 of Bidwell Lore! This week we conclude a 2-part series about schooling in 18th century Monterey. These articles were originally...
January 6, 2026January 6, 2026
Bidwell Lore – Monterey Schooling in the 18th Century
Welcome to Bidwell Lore! This week we start a 2-part series about schooling in 18th century Monterey. This article was...
July 8, 2025August 9, 2025
Bidwell Lore – The Township #1 Meeting House: Who Sat Where?
Welcome to installment 209 of Bidwell Lore! Over the last several weeks, we have been sharing a series about the 18th Meeting...
June 10, 2025June 12, 2025
Bidwell Lore – The Liberty Pole
Welcome to Bidwell Lore! This week, we are sharing a short post about Liberty Poles, a form of rebellion used during...
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.