The early 1900s postcard shown above features “Chestnutwood,” a handsome house on Maple Avenue in Great Barrington once owned by inventor William Stanley. In 1885, Stanley built the first practical Alternating Current (AC) transformer. The following year, in Great Barrington, he demonstrated the first complete system of high voltage AC transmission, consisting of generators, transformers, and transmission lines. He later patented an internationally popular, break-resistant vacuum bottle (Stanley Bottle), and it is still manufactured today.
In 1907, Stanley and family moved into “Chestnutwood,” and it was here that he died in 1916. In 1957, the house was converted into the nursing home shown immediately below. A larger facility was eventually needed, and the structure was razed after a larger, brick facility (also shown below) was built on the side yard. Known for many years as Great Barrington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and later Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the now-vacant structure is scheduled to become an apartment building.
Back in the 1980s, nursing home resident Alton Heath spent his free time crafting elaborate wooden toy trucks which he often donated. In the 1989 photograph below, Heath’s trucks are admired by Chris Tryon, Shawn Tryon, Michael Bynack, Stephen Bynack, Todd Bynack, Evelyn Valianos, and Christina Valianos. These trucks are now highly sought-after by collectors.
