Tuesday, December 3, 2024

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

THEN & NOW: The Congregational Church in Great Barrington

All are invited to a special open house at the manse today, Saturday, November 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to tour the interior of the impressive home.

The Congregational Church manse in Great Barrington shown above, left, was constructed in 1884 of dolomite quarried locally. The funds and materials to build the handsome structure were supplied by Mrs. Mary Hopkins, widow of railroad magnate Mark Hopkins, whose ancestral relative was the first pastor of the church.

According to several sources, Mrs. Hopkins intended to leave an endowment for the long-term maintenance and repair of the manse, but after she married Edward Searles (interior designer for Searles Castle), any additional funding or gifts were cut off. As many decades passed, the congregation was greatly challenged to maintain the structure, and the building deteriorated.

Over the past two years, the congregation was able to complete restoration of the manse with support from many sources. Substantial grant money was recommended by the local CPA committee and approved by the voters of Great Barrington. Additional funds were obtained from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the church’s capital campaign and a loan from Lee Bank.

All are invited to a special open house at the manse today, Saturday, November 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to tour the interior of the impressive home.

Additional “Then & Now” photographs are shown below.

THEN: This photograph was taken from the corner of Main and Elm streets in the 1890s. The Congregational Church manse is shown at right. The Cape Cod-style structure at left housed the Great Barrington Free Library, and was previously the childhood home of Laura Ingersoll Secord, Canadian heroine of the War of 1812. That structure was removed and replaced by the Mason Public Library in 1913. Photo courtesy of Gary Leveille.
THEN: Late-1880s view of the manse. Photo by Marcus Rogers.
THEN: Circa-1890s view of the manse. Photo courtesy of Gary Leveille.
THEN: By the early 1900s, extensive ivy was growing on the exterior walls of the manse. Photo courtesy of Gary Leveille.
NOW: Present-day view of the Congregational Church manse. Photo by Gary Leveille.
spot_img

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.

Continue reading

BITS & BYTES: Kalina Winters at Side Project Gallery; Small works at Art on Main; BIFF presents ‘Gladiator II’ at The Mahaiwe; MCLA theatre...

“Dimensions” asks the viewer to look at the project of painting, and the artist’s attempt to squeeze a three-dimensional world onto a flat canvas, in a way that is both funny and endearingly human at the same time.

THEN & NOW: The Great Barrington Fire Department

The recent massive wildfire on East Mountain has reminded residents of the invaluable protection provided by local fire departments.

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.