Bidwell House Museum Reopens
 |
MONTEREY, Mass. — The Bidwell House Museum announced the reopening of the Bidwell House Museum on July 17.
After keeping the house closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Museum will welcome visitors back to the 18th century manse for guided tours of the architecture and interior.
Originally built in the 1760's for the first Minister of Township #1, Adonijah Bidwell, the house remained in the Bidwell family for close to 100 years. It was then owned by other families until purchased in 1960 by two men, Jack Hargis and David Brush. These men worked for close to 25 years to restore the home and furnish it based on Reverend Bidwell's death inventory. When they died they left the house and property to a non-profit and the Museum opened its doors in 1990.
The Museum planned to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2020 but decided to postpone that celebration to this year. In honor of the Museum's 30th season, there will be a small exhibition about Hargis & Brush that can be seen at the end of the house tour.
To help celebrate the opening of house tours, the Museum will also be hosting a number of artisans onsite on July 17 from 1-4 p.m. for Maker Day. Del Martin will demonstrate blacksmithing; Dennis Picard will make traditional brooms and the Berkshire Hills and Dales Spinning Guild will spin wool. These demonstrations will take place on the property, which is open all day, free of charge.
The purchase of a house tour is not required to view the demonstrations. While onsite, visitors can also take a variety of self-guided tours of the property including the "Outside the House Tour" and a walk on the Native American Interpretive Trail. The Museum also has a Heritage Vegetable Garden, a Pollinator Garden, Flower Gardens, miles of trails and two new picnic tables where you can enjoy a packed lunch or snack. Trail maps and tour maps can be found on the front porch of the Museum.
All tours of the interior of the Bidwell House Museum will be by appointment only in 2021. Tour times will be on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, or 3:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students, and free for children 12 and under. Tours must be booked 24 hours in advance and can be booked by calling 413-528-6888 or emailing the Museum at bidwellhm2@gmail.com.
COVID-19 Requirements for entry into the house:
- If you have been exposed to COVID-19 within the past two weeks, or have symptoms of the virus, please reschedule your visit to a later date.
- If you affirm that you are vaccinated, you do not have to wear a mask inside the house unless you choose to wear one.
- If you are not vaccinated, or choose to not disclose if you have been vaccinated, you will have to wear a mask at all times inside the house.
Tags: museum, reopening,
