Explore the History of the Oldest Paper Company in America – Since 1801
Traveling east on Interstate 90 from the Capital Region seamlessly brings one on to the Mass Pike and into the area of Massachusetts known as “ The Berkshires ”. The beautiful old mountains and picturesque valleys hold myriad charming villages along with a super abundance of places of interest for the visitor seeking special experiences not far from home . One of the most attractive things about the Berkshires is their proximity to the Capital Region , making a day trip or weekend visit feasible . This geographic region is world renowned for its offerings of art and culture ; health and wellness resorts ; museums and even outlet malls and outdoor adventures including zip lines ! My leanings are to art , literature , music and dance so for this article I will concentrate on exploring these offerings .
Beginning in the northern most region of the Berkshires – hard up against the Vermont border sits the Sterling and Francine Clark Art and Research Institute – known colloquially as “ The Clark ”. It ’ s permanent art collection consists of European and American paintings , sculpture , prints , drawings and other mediums from the 14th C . through the 20th C ., and periodically mounting “ blockbuster ” exhibits . A few years ago The Clark redesigned and expanded its facility and surrounding magnificent landscaped acreage . Following its interests in the relationship between art and nature the institution recently announced a campaign to raise funds for a project to help grow the endangered native honeybee population so vital to the local agricultural economy . The 140 acre campus is nestled into the surrounding hills and a visit to The Clark is a total aesthetic experience worth a full day .
Near The Clark is the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art , aka MassMoCa . This museum is located in a restored 19C factory and features abstract and non-representational artworks . It is the country ’ s largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts !
Traveling south on Rt . 7 , the iconic roadway going through the Berkshires , I suggest a short detour to the Crane Museum of Papermaking — tracing the history of papermaking through two centuries at the oldest paper company in America . The museum is located on the banks of the Housatonic River , which supplied the water to wash the rags and power the machinery of the Crane mills . This supplied the colonies with 100 % rag content paper currency , and fine paper that became the favorite of Boston revolutionaries , including silversmith Paul Revere , who engraved bank notes sold to finance the War of Independence . The company and mill still operate today
Crane Museum of Papermaking
Dalton , MA Make Your Own Paper !
and its paper produced today is used around the world both for bank and stock certificates and its social stationery division produces the paper of choice for royalty including the British royal family and other high echelons of society . Fine paper indeed !
Crane Museum Hours : June – October / Mon – Fri : 1 – 5 pm November – May / Tues – Thurs : 1 – 5 pm GPS : Enter “ West Housatonic Street , Dalton , MA ” to see signs .
Crane Museum and Center for the Paper Arts
Explore the History of the Oldest Paper Company in America – Since 1801
Admission is Free !
Exhibits Focus On
Papermaking History U . S . Currency Fine Stationery Make Your Own Paper !
( 413 ) 684-6380 W . Housatonic St ., Dalton , MA 01226
facebook . com / cranemuseum
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