Williamstown

On its founding: "Originally called West Hoosac, the area was first settled in 1749."¹ "Fort West Hoosac, the westernmost blockhouse and stockade in Massachusetts, was built in 1756."¹ "The town was incorporated in 1765 as Williamstown according to the will of Col. Ephraim Williams, who was killed in the French and Indian War. He bequeathed a significant sum to the town on the condition that the town would be named after him and that a free school would be established."¹

On the college that defines it: "In 1791 the school opened but only lasted a short time as a free school. It became Williams College in 1793."¹ The college "remains the largest employer in town."¹

On mills, rails, and resort: The early economy ran on "agriculture, particularly dairy farming, sheep herding and wool production";¹ then "[w]ith the Industrial Revolution larger mills were added."¹ The railroad changed the rest: "With the opening of the railroad, tourists arrived,"¹ and the town's rail yard "was instrumental in transforming the town, bringing industrial development."²

Williamstown leads with culture: "A college town, it is home to Williams College, the Clark Art Institute and the Tony-awarded Williamstown Theatre Festival."¹ The Clark is the marquee stop — "an art museum and research institution"³ whose campus "encompasses 140 acres (57 ha) of meadows, woods, and walking trails."³ Give it a half-day for the galleries and the Stone Hill trails both, then pair it with the Williams College Museum of Art in the town center; time a summer trip around the Theatre Festival.

For the outdoors, "Mount Greylock State Reservation occupies the southwestern corner of town,"¹ and "the Appalachian Trail skirts the town twice."¹ U.S. Route 7 and Massachusetts Route 2 — the Mohawk Trail — make it an easy approach by car from any direction.