Southern Berkshires Through Time

Book excerpt: Southern Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts is a magical place. Some call it "paradise," while others quietly claim it to be the center of the universe. The special synergy that exists here between people and place has inspired remarkable residents for centuries. Towns nestled among the majestic hills and scenic valleys are beautiful, fascinating, and filled with history. Much has changed here over the past 150 years--the period covered photographically in this book. The classic beauty of the Southern Berkshires has drawn photographers since the camera was first invented. Vibrant villages have evolved over the decades, even as the surrounding scenery remains breathtaking. Once thriving textile mills have been replaced by innovative tech enterprises. The important paper industry has struggled but survived here. Year round recreational and educational opportunities have blossomed. Once bustling boomtowns have grown quieter, but now nurture entrepreneurial inventiveness and a magnificent menagerie of historic homes, prosperous farms, and top-notch cultural venues. The images and interesting narrative inside this book offer a rare glimpse of the Southern Berkshires through time. By looking at the whole picture, the connections between our past and present will become apparent.