BY
JANET STEINBERG
Williamstown,
in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, is
a charming college town that is a mecca for art and culture. It is
home to Williams College, the Clark Art Institute and the Tony-awarded Williamstown Theatre Festival.
The
permanent collection of Williams College Museum of Art has over 12,000 works of
art ranging from 9th-century B.C. Assyrian stone
reliefs from the palace of King Ashurnasirpal II, to one of the last
self-portraits by Andy Warhol.  It also has works by artists Louise
Nevelson, Ben Shahn, and Louise Bourgeois’s outdoor sculpture entitled
“Eyes”.  Said Bourgeois:”The eyes are the window of the soul,
reflecting feelings and truth.  They are the best way to communicate with
the world, with others.”


“EYES”
BY LOUISE BOURGEOIS

Although the Williams
College Museum of Art collection spans the history of Art, it emphasizes
contemporary and modern art, American art from the late 18th century
to the present, and the art of world cultures. It aims to present art in
ways that are accessible and exciting without sacrificing complexity or
subtlety. 
Williamstown, a tiny
town whose population was listed at a mere 7754 (2010 census), is also home to
the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute where visitors can experience
outstanding European and American art in a beautiful, rural
setting.  The Clark, opened in 1955 by Singer sewing machine heir
Robert Sterling Clark and his wife Francine, has become one of the world’s favorite
and most respected art museums. 
The Clark is renowned
for its French Impressionist paintings by Monet, Degas, Pissarro and more than
thirty Renoir paintings.  The collection also is also contains
American works by Homer, Sargent, Remington and Cassatt.
The rural setting of the
Clark campus is made up of 140 acres of woodlands, meadows, and hiking trails
of varying lengths and difficulty.  A lily pond enhances the view
from the galleries and picnic tables and benches invite visitors to enjoy the Berkshire
atmosphere.
The Williamstown Theater
Festival, winner of the 2002 Tony Award for the Best Regional Theatre attracts
world famous actors to it stage.  The Williamstown Film Festival
offers a venue for East Coast premiers of independent films.

When you’ve had your fill of culture in
Williamstown, The ‘6 House Pub will fill your stomach with down-home
food.  The “Six” House Bovine Burger Bazaar offers every kind of
burger imaginable.
The
burgers range from “The Guernsey”, a basic no frills burger  to “The Mediterranean
Cow”, heaped with gorgonzola, grilled Portobello mushroom slices, roasted red
pepper , and tomato basil aioli.  There are dishes listed as “Simple
Pub Fare”, “Spaghetts”,  specialty supper salads, soups for supper
and sweets from Salted Caramel Vanilla Crunch Cake to Chocolate Molten Lava
Cake.
Owners of the jumping ‘6
House Pub, also operates the adjoining 1896 House Inn complex consisting of the
“Brookside”, and “Pondside” Motels.
For
AAA Four diamond accommodations in Williamstown, The Orchards Hotel provides a
peaceful retreat combined with contemporary comfort and convenience. It is
a place where you can surround yourself in the beautiful solitude of the
Berkshire and Green Mountains.


THE
ORCHARDS HOTEL

Willliamstown is tucked
in the far western corner of Massachusetts where Vermont, Massachusetts, and
New York meet.  And no matter where you are coming from in this
tri-state area, all roads lead to Manchester, Vermont where upscale discount
shops are housed in clapboard clusters of New England-style buildings located
in the charming Manchester Center.
The Equinox Resort &
Spa in Manchester Village is the quintessential New England resort, with Revolutionary
roots dating back to 1769.  It is one of the country’s most
historically significant lodgings.  Its fascinating history began
during the Revolutionary War, when a solitary tavern owned by William Marsh
stood on the grounds.  Today, dining on hearty New England fare in
the original Marsh Tavern is a cozy affair where you are swept into a bygone
era.  


 THE EQUINOX RESORT
AND SPA

Nearby
Quechee Village is known for its picturesque covered bridge at the site of
the old Quechee mill. 
  
  
COVERED
BRIDGE AT QUECHEE, VERMONT
The
old Quechee Mill now houses the Simon Pearce glass-blowing facility and
restaurant.
SIMON PEARCE
GLASS-BLOWING FACILITY
Albany, the Capital of
New York, is the airport of choice for the Williamstown,
Masachusetts/Manchester, and Vermont area.  If time permits, take in
a performance, or, at the least, take a look at The Egg, a performing arts
venue in Albany.  Only minutes from the Albany airport, The Egg is
architecturally without precedence, taking its name from its
shape.  It appears to be more like sculpture than a
building.  Designed by Harrison and Abramovitz as part of the Empire
State Plaza project, The Egg was 12 years in the making from 1966 to 1978.
JANET STEINBERG is an award-winning Travel Writer and a Travel
Consultant with THE TRAVEL AUTHORITY in Mariemont, Ohio.