Historic photo
of the Hoosac Tunnel |
115 State Street
Building 4
North Adams, MA 01247
413 663-6312
Visitors Museum Hours:
May 18th through October 19th
Open daily 10am – 5pm
Due to staff limitations, we advise calling before arriving to verify hours.
A former railroad yard, this urban park uses historical
artifacts and exhibits to bring to life the controversial and danger-filled
construction of the Hoosac Tunnel, one of the greatest engineering
feats of the 19th century. The tunnel was dug 4.75 miles through
Hoosac Mountain, linking Massachusetts to Albany, NY. 200 men lost
their lives building the tunnel, which is still being used today.
An audio-visual presentation takes visitors back in time, where
the sounds of dripping water, pickaxes against stone, explosions,
and debates re-create the hardships and heroism of the tunnel's
construction.
Several beautifully restored buildings that were once used to store freight and commodities surround a cobblestone courtyard. The buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Programs and exhibits in history, science, culture and environmental education are offered regularly to the public.
The Visitors Museum
The heart of the park is the Visitors Museum. Imaginative exhibits are designed to reveal the impact that the railroad industry and the Hoosac Tunnel project had on both northern Berkshire County and America. Children and adults can experiment with a vintage floor scale that was used for weighing loads up to half a ton. A 30-minute documentary film provides a history of the Hoosac Tunnel. Allow approximately one hour to view the exhibits.
The Gateway to Greylock Museum
The Gateway to Greylock Museum provides an educational and visual experience for those who want to learn more about Mount Greylock and for those who wish to visit its summit which can be reached from the Park. It features a six minute film and ten exhibit themes covering the history, science and culture of the mountain in approximately 1500 square feet of space. It is located in Building 5C just across from the DCR’s Visitors Museum in Building 4. Information about the museum is available by calling 413-663-6312
Things to know before you
go…
Admission and parking is free. The building and exhibits are universally
accessible. Program access may vary. Reasonable accommodations available
upon request. Group tours and school visits may be arranged by calling
in advance. While touring northern Berkshire County in the spring,
summer and fall consider visiting: Natural Bridge
State Park, just two miles away on Rte. 8; and Mount
Greylock State Reservation, with its summit at 3,491 feet, the
highest peak in Massachusetts. The drive from Western Gateway offers
spectacular views of the Berkshire landscape. It can be easily reached
from the Furnace Street exit of Western Gateway.
Park Directions
Western Gateway HSP is located in the northern part of the Berkshires
in western Massachusetts.
From South:
- Take I-90 to Lee exit
- Go north on Route 20 then north on Route 7 to Williamstown
- At rotary, go east on Route 2
- Turn right on Route 8 north
- Take a right after the Hadley Overpass into parking lot
From East:
- Take Route 2 West to Route 8 South
- Take a right after the Hadley Overpass into the parking lot
From West:
- Take Route 2 East to Route 8 South
- Take a right after the Hadley Overpass into the parking lot
Other Heritage State Parks
You can learn more about Massachusetts' industrial heritage at these
state parks: Blackstone River and Canal HSP,
Holyoke HSP, Lawrence
HSP, and Lynn HSP. |
Accessible Picnicking
