The above view taken from the corner of Main and Elm streets in Great Barrington was captured by camera in the 1890s. It shows a Cape Cod-style structure at left that was then the Great Barrington Free Library. It was previously the childhood home of Laura Ingersoll Secord, the Canadian heroine of the War of 1812. That structure was removed and replaced by the Mason Library in 1913, built of Harvard brick and West Stockbridge marble.
The Congregational Church manse, shown above right, was built in 1884 of local dolomite stone and has changed very little. Perhaps the bicycle leaning against the fence was owned by the photographer. The same view below shows more signage and electrical fixtures, but a handsome picket fence still graces the corner.
