Williamstown
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A sign at the crossroads of Williamstown’s small town center proclaims the town “the village beautiful”—and so it is. Completely ringed by mountains, the town is dominated by Williams College, whose green lawns and eclectic architecture makes every street corner a Kodak moment.
The college is actually one of the oldest in the country, founded in 1791 through the will of Colonel Ephraim Williams, who was killed during the French and Indian Wars, but provided money for the establishment of a “free school” in the town of West Hoosac, provided it change its name to Williamstown.
Just 30 years after its founding, the president and half the student body left to found Amherst College in the southeast, thus ensuring a rivalry that continues in sports to the present day. Today, the town is well known for its art museums and theater festival, which brings theatergoers from New York City and Boston every summer.
© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.