The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, aka “Information Booth,” and bus stop on Main Street in Great Barrington has apparently outlived its usefulness. According to a report presented to the town Selectboard by Executive Director Betsy Andrus, the building has deteriorated and is too small. An even smaller structure was first built on the site in 1970, and then upgraded to the design shown in the photograph below. The model structure was designed and built by the late William Duke (shown below left). Duke was formerly town administrator of Ardsley, New York, and later a resident of Brainard Avenue in Great Barrington, as well as former part-owner of Prospect Lake Park campground in North Egremont.
Shown to the right of Duke is the late Dick Snow, former president of Wheeler & Taylor, and then-president of the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Visitor Center location has moved around town over the years. It was once located across the street, built into different portions of the Searles Castle wall, as shown in two photos above and below. It was also once located in Stanley Park, across the street from Cumberland Farms. The bottom photograph features the present building.
