Making New History
Since our founding in 1994, our team of volunteers has worked tirelessly to build a vital community center that benefits the residents of West Stockbridge and the surrounding region. The focus for much of this work has been in restoring the West Stockbridge Old Town Hall.
The Old Town Hall was in times past a site for community events, concerts, and other community programs. The Old Town Hall was placed in the National Register of Historical Places in 2008, and our campaign to restore the building began. All proceeds raised through our donations, paid programming, and grants go into the restoration of the building. We have completed key milestones in its restoration, including a new roof, a new front wall, an addition which includes an ADA-compliant elevator, a bridge to the upper lot, and a front handicap sidewalk and ramp. The next phase of our work will concentrate on the inside of the building with a long list of improvements that will create a safe and accessible facility for our expanding array of interesting programs.
Achieving these goals means we need the support of our community through memberships, donations, and grants. We encourage you to become involved in the West Stockbridge Historical Society and help us Make New History.
Creating a Cultural and Community Center
Since we opened our doors for the first West Stockbridge Chamber Players benefit performance a dozen years ago, we’ve discovered that, indeed, “build it and they will come.” Until the pandemic forced us to halt programming, we had more than three thousand people every year —many from outside Berkshire County—attend our concerts, talks, history programs, art exhibits, theatrical performances and more. From bestselling author Simon Winchester to talented local high school writers, from renowned jazz bassist Larry Grenadier, to the brilliant clarinetist Catherine Hudgins and her Chamber Players, we’ve been offering a wide range of first-class programs. Now with the ADA-compliant elevator in operation, we’re able to welcome everyone, regardless of age or ability.​​
​Our cultural partners:
Art School of the Berkshires
The Berkshire Historical Society at Herman Melville's Arrowhead
Close Encounters With Music
The Foundry West Stockbridge
Guild of Berkshire Artists
Hancock Shaker Village
Mass. Audubon Society
The Mount – Edith Wharton's Home
TurnPark Art Space
WAM Theatre