Saturday, December 6, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Gary Leveille

Gary Leveille is presently buried beneath piles of vintage photographs as the Great Barrington Historical Society's volunteer archivist. He has over 35 years' experience as a writer, editor, humorist, researcher, photographer, author, publisher and newspaper columnist. Gary served as a senior editor and editorial project supervisor for Hasbro Games in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is also the author of several books about the Southern Berkshires.

written articles

THEN & NOW: The historic Berkshire Courier newspaper building

Enterprising editor/publisher Marcus Rogers had the structure built, and he lived on the upper floors with his family for a time.

THEN & NOW: The Sandisfield stagecoach

As railroads expanded in much of the Northeast, most long-distance stage lines were out of business by the 1860s. Autos and trucks eventually ended local stage deliveries as well. But a few stages continued to serve rural towns like Sandisfield until about 1920.

THEN & NOW: Mount Washington’s South School

The South School location was moved several times during the 1800s. According to "History of Mount Washington, Massachusetts" by Evelyn Shearn, the building was repaired, painted red, and moved to its present location in 1895.

THEN & NOW: Former train station in Lee

The station and a neighboring freight building played a major role in the town’s economic development, bringing paper products, foodstuffs, and quarried marble to nationwide markets, as well as bringing tourists, vacationers, and seasonal residents to area estates, summer homes, and hotels.

THEN & NOW: The North Egremont Baptist Church

In 1817, thanks to the generosity of a parishioner, a new location was chosen for a permanent Baptist church building in Egremont: a knoll just northwest of the intersection of present-day General Knox Lane and Prospect Lake Road.

THEN & NOW: Anniversary of the Knox Trail expedition

Upcoming Knox Trail caravan reenactments are planned for December and January as part of our nation’s 250th birthday commemorations.

Forgotten Footsteps in Egremont along the Native American Indian Trail

One of the earliest and most well-traveled Native American Indian trails into Egremont meandered east from what is now Kinderhook, N.Y. Referred to as the “Indian Fur Trail” by early European explorers and settlers, it allowed transportation for the trading and purchase of animal furs.

THEN & NOW: The old Whalen & Kastner Garage in Great Barrington

The entire building was recently renovated, and the front façade was carefully restored to reveal architectural details hidden for decades.

THEN & NOW: Student transportation from the past

For well over 50 years, Massini Bus Company in Sheffield has been transporting students within the Berkshire Hills Regional School District.

THEN & NOW: Showing off classic cars on Main Street, Great Barrington

For several generations, photographers have explored Main Street in Great Barrington to capture classic cars on film.

THEN & NOW: The former Stonyhurst Estate in Great Barrington

Charles Wetherbee, a successful businessman who operated hotels in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York City, built the impressive structure near the intersection of Routes 23 and 71. 

THEN & NOW: Great Barrington Savings Bank

Great Barrington Savings Bank merged with Berkshire County Savings Bank in the 1990s to become Berkshire Bank.

THEN & NOW: Clayton school house

The school house continued to be owned by the town of Sheffield, but by the 1930s, Clayton students were bussed to a new school in Mill River.

THEN & NOW: The Truman Wheeler House (AKA the Great Barrington Historical Society)

With the expensive “help” of a bank mortgage, the Great Barrington Historical Society saved the 1.4-acre property for use as their headquarters and town museum.

THEN & NOW: Memorial Day in South County

As Daniel Webster once wrote, “Let their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.”

Miracle on Cottage Street

Germany surrenders, a prisoner of war returns, and a plane crashes on Cottage Street.
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