The towns of Berkshire County, in westernmost Massachusetts, are nestled between two small mountain ranges formed from glacial deposits—the Hoosac Range to the east and the Taconic Range to the West—which create a natural boundary separating the area from Vermont, New York and Connecticut. The small mountains and rolling green hills of the Berkshires have beckoned visitors from around the world. Home to both peaceful valleys and the Commonwealth’s highest peak, Mount Greylock, the Berkshire’s rural lifestyle and contrasting natural features have attracted creative personalities—writers, including Hawthorne, Melville, and Thoreau; artists, such as Norman Rockwell and Daniel Chester French; and hundreds of other performers and craftspeople—for generations.

Today, the Berkshire region is a cultural center for museums, historic sites, art, dance and music venues such as Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home; MASS MoCA, the country’s largest contemporary art center; the Norman Rockwell Museum, featuring the artist’s original studio; and the renowned Williamstown Theatre Festival. In addition to arts and cultural venues, the Berkshires offers marvelous opportunities for golfing, hiking, backpacking, biking, fishing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. Wintertime sports include alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Visitors can also discover a diverse range of retail establishments, from antiques dealers to outlets to a myriad of specialty shops.

Berkshire County also has state of the art healthcare provided through its two comprehensive healthcare systems, a federally qualified community health center, and a range of clinics, and support programs including assistance for the underinsured. They include Berkshire Health Systems and Northern Berkshire Healthcare.