The 4-story Berkshire Chalet structure shown in the 1950s photograph above is located on Maple Avenue (Route 23) in Great Barrington. It was originally known as the Collins House (as shown in the 1880s photograph below). It was built 1853-1854 for Dr. Clarkson Collins (1821-18 81), one of the nation’s first gynecologists who opened an infirmary in New York for the treatment of “female diseases.”
Collins also founded the New York Medical and Surgical Reporter newspaper. Moving to Great Barrington in 1850, his Collins House served as a hotel and sanitarium for the treatment of chronic illness. In 1891, a separate building on the property housed what was one of the town’s first bowling alleys.
The Collins House was later known by many names including the Colonial Inn, Hotel Bartine, Coach Lamp Inn, Berkshire Chalet, and Bavarian Room restaurant. It is now home to offices and condominiums.
