2019
The official history of Notchview accords pride of place to Col. Arthur Budd, a much-decorated veteran of World War I (he even has a street named after him in France) who is credited with acquiring and uniting the many parcels of Windsor land that eventually became the Budd estate, aka Notchview. Less well-known is the soft-focus figure of
Windsor has a long history of multiple industries, such as farming, raising sheep and poultry, sugaring, and dairying. Cheese-making was one of the many activities Windsor had going on in the 19th century. The Windsor Cheese Factory (c. 1811-1910) was located at
Windsor’s small but mighty museum did not serve as such throughout its long history. In fact, it was not always at its current location on Route 9 in the center of town!
Originally known as the Steward House, the home was located on the southwest corner of the Savoy Hollow Road and Shaw Road junction, just west of the Notchview property. The property was assembled in the early
Anyone who knows anything about the Berkshire music scene knows who Benny Kohn is. Arguably the best jazz pianist in the Berkshires and beyond, I first met Benny in 2008 when I was given the opportunity to play with a group of local jazz legends. I was immediately taken with his playing. The man behind the piano is
After Helen Budd and her husband, Arthur Budd, built Helenscourt and came to live there full-time, the estate also became home to employees, some of them housed in former homesteads on the property (such as the one that
As one of approximately 20 homesteads that eventually made up Notchview’s 3000 acres, the Norman Miner Place began as a farm and became the nucleus of Notchview’s property after
Notchview has several shelters on its property where skiers can take a break, enjoy the view, and spend time with other skiers! The Pierce Shelter (built in memory of
The 200-acre Butter Bates Homestead, which is located at Notchview on Bates Rd, past Bates Field on the northeast side, was owned by Herman L. Bates. Bates bought the land from his father, William, for an 1847 price of….
In 2008, my family realized dreams of pine scented breezes, woodland creatures coming to visit, snowshoeing by light of a full moon and spectacular starlit skies. Indeed, it was love at first sight when we found our paradise in Windsor, just past the Peru town line. I was THRILLED to learn..
After retiring from the Army in 1932, Arthur Budd lived on the property at Notchview until his death in 1965. A career Army man, Budd was well known for his love of dogs (who appeared in many pictures with him), as well as hiking his property barefoot and in a straw hat and short pants, no matter the weather. —Rachel Niswander, Terra Corps Intern
Spring 2017-2018
Did you know that there are thousands of different species of native bees in North America? It's true! Together they form our most important group of pollinators. And according to Bee City, USA, "90% of all wild plants and trees rely on pollinators for the survival of their species." Come help us kick-off our community-wide, yearlong effort to protect Windsor's pollinators by building your very own Bee Hotel! All ages are welcome. If you happen to have an empty half-gallon milk carton (wax or plastic), bring it along. We've got spares, and will provide everything else. You’ll go home with a Bee Hotel and we’ll suggest the best places to locate it in your garden. If you have any questions, please call or email Val Kohn: 684-1731 valckohn@verizon.net. —Patty Crane
There are so many reasons you won't want to miss the WINDSOR GROWN celebration this Saturday, July 15, 10 am - 4 pm at Notchview. And one of them is THE MUSIC!! Scroll down for a sampling from each of our performers, in reverse order of their stage appearance: One Part Luck (10 - 11 am); Benny Kohn (11 - 12 noon; and 2 - 4 pm with Misty Blues); Moonshine Holler (12 noon - 2 pm), and Misty Blues Band (2 - 4 pm):
In case you've been hiding under a rock and haven't heard the news: on Saturday, July 15, from 10am-4 pm, we're having a HUGE shindig to celebrate this community and place. Local food vendors! Local beer! Music all day! Kids' activities! Drumming! A raffle of locally crafted items! We'll have over a dozen of Windsor's own craftspeople and growers displaying and selling their goods, and Windsor's volunteer fire squad showing off an engine or two and handing out water. And wait till you see the fabulous new Friends of Windsor Woodland Trail, which is sure to delight kids and young-at-heart adults alike! You won't want to miss this event! Rain or shine.
WED, JUNE 21, 8 pm - 9 pm, WINDSOR TOWN PARK - What would a video celebrating Windsor be without lots of Windsor faces in it? And what better way to celebrate the summer solstice than with a campfire, marshmallow roast, and some homegrown music? Join us at Windsor Town Park and help videographer Kyle Dempsey get
Euphemia Drysdale came to Windsor in 1923 -- the first woman to serve as minister of the Windsor Congregational Church. At the time, many congregations were reluctant to embrace the relatively novel idea of a woman preacher.
Fall/Winter 2016-17
Adorned with the colorful hand-prints of a dozen of Windsor's youngest citizens, our Library's Book Drop is now back in its rightful place outside the Town Offices. From the children who traced their own hands to the bigger folks who seized an opportunity to make a bright difference, this was truly a community project: sponsored by Friends of Windsor, supported by the Library, embraced by the kids' parents, and made possible by the generosity, ingenuity, and hard work of Tim Crane and Bob and Steven Meyers. Stop by and check out o
Tuesday, December 13 at 7 pm, Windsor Congregational Church. Not everyone is "joy-filled" during the holiday season. This is a different kind of service for those who are stressed, lonely, or hurting. The main theme is "Moving Toward Pinpoints of Light." There will be area musicians performing hopeful, healing music, as well as an opportunity to sing. Also: the things about Christmas you thought you weren't allowed to think! All are invited. Clergy from Cummington, Plainfield, West Cummington and Windsor will officiate. Questions: Rev. Alex Hunter (cell/text: 413-344-6690; revalexhunter@gmail.com)
This Saturday, December 10 at 1PM, you won't want to miss the joyful voices of the Blafield Children's Chorus singing international holiday tunes at Windsor's Congregational Church! It's FREE of charge, and open to all in the community. Those who
There is so much to do in the hilltowns this Saturday, December 10! Travel to Notchview in Windsor to cut down your own Balsam or Fraser Fir carefully grown for the occasion! From 1-1:45PM kids can learn about winter tree identification with Tamarack Hollow Naturalist Aimee Gelinas! Afterwards, stop by
Wake up early, make popovers for everyone, and then get down to the REAL work of cooking a Thanksgiving feast...that's the holiday envisioned by the editors of Progress,
After a couple of centuries, we're kind of used to the name. But why Windsor? Turns out Windsor was not the first choice for our second name, as local history enthusiast Barry Emery explained
The Windsor Library’s Book Drop is getting a makeover, and we need your help. Thanks to Bob Meyers and Tim Crane, the old box has been de-rusted, given a new latch, primed, and painted a handsome deep blue. And now it’s ready for the final touch...or, touches: bright little handprints! We plan to use stencils made from outlining our children’s hands to decorate the box. A hand tracing station will be set up at
Here's to the many people behind these colorful personal touches that brighten our small town. Even the bedraggled, going-by blooms of summer give off a warm glow that can lighten
Spring/Summer 2016
These photos were taken this afternoon, and it doesn't get any better than this: freshly mown paths, late summer wild flowers, and a stunning view! Whether you're walking, jogging, bird or butterfly watching, or seeking the ideal spot for a picnic, now is a great time to
We did, indeed! We're still reeling from last weekend's festivities. You can read all about it in our special write-up of the event, Celebrate Windsor. And be sure to check out our Celebrating Windsor Photo Gallery. There was standing-room-only in the East Windsor Chapel, with
It's true! And we'll be distributing the all-new directory at the Celebrate Windsor! festivities this Sunday, July 17, 2-5 pm at the East Windsor Chapel. Come pick up your copy and join us
This beautifully handcrafted entryway/sofa table was generously donated by Scott Brockway to benefit Friends of Windsor and add to our Celebrate Windsor! festivities on Sunday, July 17, 2-5 pm at the East Windsor Chapel. Scott, the owner of
That's not a typo! Take out the "b" in Windsor Jambs and you get Windsor's own Piano Man, Benny Kohn, playing a jazzy blue tune featured on his newly released CD, Fingers First. Click on the arrow to listen! You can hear Benny play live during our Celebrate Windsor! festivities on Sunday, July 17, 2-5 pm at the East Windsor Chapel.
Come join us at the lovely East Windsor Chapel on Sunday, July 17th from 2-5 pm to celebrate Windsor's past, and the publication of our wonderful Historic Landmarks Map!
Don't you love Windsor at this time of year, when the spring wildflowers are nearing their peak? Now it's buttercups, daisies,
Thank you, Internet! While researching the history of Windsor Bush recently, I stumbled across a YouTube music video titled "Windsor Jambs." This is a piece of music unlike anything I have heard before. I can't promise you'll like it, but give it a try.
We love this picture of Windsor's sturdy school bus with driver and smiling scholars, back in the days of Crane Community School. It's part of the Windsor Historical Commission collection, but it isn't labeled with either a date or names. Can you help?
Like all other regions of the United States, the Berkshires regularly experiences blood supply shortages. Since convenience
Who doesn't love a barn?! Whether it's a relic of the past working its way back to earth, newly-built and still smelling of fresh
Fall/Winter 2015-16
The Simple Gifts Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is offering grants of between $200-$800 for young
Windsor's initial Green Community grant was officially awarded this week at a celebration in Stockbridge honoring
While I was doing some research for the February issue of Flashbacks, I came across some intriguing lines in "Progress,"
While we wait for the Wired West imbroglio to be resolved, let's look back at the Beechmont Telephone Company.
Thanks to the diligence and hard work of Windsor’s Green Committee, our town has just been designated
This past Sunday, thanks to Rev. Alex and Patti Hackett-Hunter, our hills were alive with the sound of the Blafield Children's
Friends of Windsor's mailbox has been overflowing with your gratitude! And we'd like to extend our gratitude in return:
The trails are all cleaned up, relatively dry, and great for walking at this time of year. Enjoy the fresh air, natural
We've made a good start on our interactive online map, but it is still a work in progress.
Calling all ghouls, goblins, fairies, and other spooky characters! The Saturday, October 31, from 4-6 pm, when you're out
Here’s our Fire Department’s newest member, a strapping 130 pounds of rivets and fire hose. The creation of
Our fire crew has been conducting regular Structure Fire Search & Rescue Trainings at a house in Savoy that's being used for
These photos of last night’s rare lunar event were taken right here in town, where our dark skies make for ideal viewing. A
Fall is Windsor's moment. Apple trees bowing down under the weight of their fruit, marsh-side maples reflected in a
Summer 2015
Special guest Charles Neville will be appearing with gospel singers Moonlight Davis, Morning Star Chenven, and
We'd love to hear what you think. Which ones have you seen? What sort of impact did it have on you? Do you have any
Remember our previous post about Joe Birchfield (Tending Shaw Cemetery)? Look what he made happen! Thanks to
Here are Allen and Stevie Bird of Windsor Land Clearing & Excavating preparing the site and foundation for
Peak viewing of this year’s fiery showers will be August 12 -13. Thanks to Windsor’s dark skies and the timing of the dim new
Our devoted crew at this past Monday night's practice doing a "Rural Water Supply" drill. Using their 1959 Engine, they pump
A sneak preview of the signs in progress at Pixley Sign Company in Pittsfield. Just a few details remain before installation begins
Joe Birchfield in yesterday's sticky heat tackling saplings and brush that obscure the new section of Shaw Cemetery. Folks,
Thanks to our dark skies, Windsor is a favored spot for star gazing. And it's been said we like our beer, too! So don't miss
The pottery of Windsor's own Connie Talbot displayed at her home this past weekend as part of the 9th annual Hilltown 6
The old Ball Bridge before and after the masked man with the weed-whacker cleared this summer's crop of stubborn weeds.
Windsor's own Sean and Dean Lonergan of Berkshire Highlands Farm on a steamy July afternoon. Missing from the photo are
Here's Val Kohn on a cool, early July afternoon giving the bench its annual scrubbing. Installed in 2002, this concrete and tile
Our State Representative, Paul Mark, posing with residents after a lively, Q&A-style session at the Windsor Town Offices this past
We're excited to finally have a website! Now you can read Windsor Now & Then hot off the press (or browse through a past
Here's our recently appointed Board of Health—Chairman Dr. Joe Pfeifer and co-clerks Sue Jacobs and Jean Wagner—