If you love art, you’ll definitely want to make the trek to the Williams College Museum of Art in Williamstown, MA. The museum, located on the Williams College campus, is a hidden gem with more than 15,000 works in its collection, spanning the history of art.
The Berkshires are a magnet for art and culture, with numerous attractions calling for your attention. MASS MoCA, Chesterwood, The Clark Art Institute, the Frelinghuysen Morris House, and the Berkshire Art Museum, to name just a few.
The Williams College Museum of Art belongs near the top of this list. It is considered one of the finest college art museums in the country and quite near many of the institutions listed above. Better yet, all are less than an hour’s drive, many far less, from The Inn at Stockbridge.
Karl Weston founded the Williams College Museum of Art in 1926, reasoning that exposure to fine art would enrich the student body. As the museum’s collection grew, so to did the scope of its influence. Today its reputation well exceeds the boundaries of the Williams College campus.
Visiting Williams College Museum of Art
Visitors to the museum will discover a very wide range of art, indeed. The collection contains over 15,000 pieces, from the ancient world up to works by living American artists. Highlights of the collection include pieces from ancient Egypt, Assyria, Greece, India, Nigeria, Rome, and the Americas, as well as modern and contemporary pieces.
Fans of the brothers Prendergast will be excited to learn that the museum is home to the world’s largest collection of their of work. The Prendergast Archive & Study Center houses around 400 of their paintings, along with, hand-carved frames, photos, letters, and diaries.
Exhibits at the museum include displays from the ever growing permanent collection and more limited seasonal exhibitions. The museum’s outdoor, public sculpture collection can be found around campus and about ten minutes away at Field Farm. The museum website offers a printable map of all campus and Field Farm installations.
Those interested in viewing more area public art installations can follow this map, put together by the museum, The Clark Art Institute, and MASS MoCA.
Getting There
As mentioned above, the Williams College Museum of Art is located on the Willaims College campus at 15 Lawrence Hall Drive in Williamstown, MA. Just under an hour’s drive from our Berkshires bed and breakfast, The Inn at Stockbridge.
The Williamstown area is home to lots of other worthy attractions. Places like The Clark Art Institute, Berkshire Art Museum, and MASS MoCA. The drive will also take you past Mount Greylock. This magnificent peak is the highest point in the state, providing eye-popping views. Despite this, you can drive your car all the way to the summit – no hiking necessary! The area is also home to a variety of cute shops, fine galleries, warm cafes, and good restaurants.
Spend the day soaking up art and exploring the Williamstown area, then back to your comfy room at the Inn. Maybe even in time to enjoy our daily wine and cheese reception between 4:30pm and 6pm. Life is good, isn’t it?
Visit the Williams College Museum of Art online at artmuseum.williams.edu. You can also find it on Facebook.