I have been fascinated by Mass MoCa, since I looked into a trip idea for my "artsy" cousin and found this, one-of-a-kind, museum in the northwest corner of the Berkshires . I can't say I am a real museum connoisseur, but I am always interested in the reuse of buildings and this was a great example of that!
North Adams was always a true blue-collar town and when the manufacturing complex that employed thousands for decades closed, the town was devastated. However, the nearby Williams College Museum of Art was on the hunt for a large factory or mill buildings to exhibit large works of modern art. They toured the facility and the idea of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCa) was born.
The buildings themselves are fascinating and even the bathrooms have an industrial appeal. There are many changing exhibits and a few that are housed permanently. The permanent, Sol Lewitt exhibits fill three floors and his conceptual art is displayed across vast spaces. Free tours are offered to expand your experience and, if you miss those, researching the artists makes the affair much more interesting. I longed for the story and photos of these buildings that told their history. I think this added element could draw more diversified crowds and add to an already great space.
The other piece that really lassoed my attraction for this trip to the Berkshires is the restored row houses across from Mass MoCa that have been reincarnated as the vintage and fabulous Porches Inn. It wasn't just the repurposing of this hotel that drew me in but the welcoming and wonderfully retro design. The Inn has 6 Victorian row houses with 47 rooms/suites to choose from and a pool, hot tub, sauna, fire ring and free breakfast. Families are welcomed and accommodated, which I'm told, is not always the case in this area. The rooms, hallways, nooks and sitting areas are all so thoughtfully appointed and so homey that I'm not sure I would want to leave!
This little town was definitely worth checking out and next time I would tour the little town and have lunch at Public! Eat & Drink. I also think Fall would be the perfect season to go anywhere in the Berkshires, if you book early. But winter was beautiful too and Vermont skiing is less than an hour drive from this home base.