During your visit, the first museum you should explore is the Berkshire Museum.  The Museum offers tons of things to do complete with a unique blend of varying exhibits, galleries and attractions for visitors of all ages.  Here, you can view fine art and sculptures from around the world, and visit the touch tank and aquarium for an unforgettable experience.  Visitors will be amazed in the collection of artifacts from Native American cultures and ancient cultures of Egypt, China and more.  For those who are interested in our advanced age of technology, you can step into the new Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation and marvel at new exhibits and explore various machines and contraptions.  The Berkshire Museum is open daily.

The Crane Museum of Papermaking proves to be an interesting and exciting place for history-lovers.  This museum, house in what was the Rag Room of Crane’s 1844 Old stone Mill was first opened in the autumn of 1930 and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  Upon arrival, you can view the Housatonic River and explore the architecture of this historic building with its rough-hewn oak beams, colonial chandeliers, many-paned windows and wide oak floorboards.  The interior resembles the Old Ship Church in Hingham, Massachusetts.  In this suitable setting, you will find a scale model (made by Dard Hunter_ of the vat house of the first Crane mill, along with some of the various tools that Zenas Crane used from 1801 to 1831.  Numerous exhibits trace the history of American papermaking from Revolutionary times, with a special emphasis on the durable, distinctive Crane papers made for currency, bonds, stock certificates and elegant stationary.  

Along with the Crane Museum, another historic location is the Mission House Gardens and Indian Museum.  This national historic landmark was home to the first missionary to the Mohican Indians.  Here you can learn about colonial history as well as the Native American Tribe that inhabited this house.

As an important historical figure, the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum honors this dedicated woman for her motivation, perseverance, and courage.  This not-for-profit corporation strives to preserve the birthplace and raise public awareness of the wide-ranging legacy of this great social reformer.  As a pioneering feminist, the museum highlights the familial and regional influences that shaped Ms. Anthony’s early life, by displaying textiles and furnishings of that period, as well as literature and other memorabilia associated with her later career.  

If you are looking for something that will appeal to children, the Animagic Museum of Animation is one of the best places to visit.  Here you can view ceramics, puppets, and graphics of multi-talented artist Irina Borisovaand and watch educational films.  From there, you can take a guided tour full of special effects and art showcasing the rich special effects history of the Berkshires.  Visitors can view original models used in famous movies and a genuine Academy Award.  During the tour you will create a model, make an animation movie, record it on the computer and add sound, music and a title to make it come to life.  Whether you are five or 95, the Animagic Museum of Animation will prove to be fun, exciting, and educational for all visitors.  

While these are only a few museums within the Berkshires, this beautiful area has many more to explore.  Check out all of the wonderful events and activities you can take part in during your visit to the Berkshires.