History:
The Sheffield Historical Society was organized in 1972 by a group of residents who sought to preserve the story of the oldest town in Berkshire County. It is a volunteer driven, nonprofit corporation, actively involved in local historical research that also offers a variety of educational programs for every age group.

The Society's goal is to stimulate interest in local history and to interpret the town's past. It collects and preserves records and materials relevant to the town, which includes the hamlets of Sheffield and Ashley Falls, exhibits them and makes them available for exhibits, research and educational programs.

The Society maintains several historic structures. The 1774 Dan Raymond House is both a period museum and houses the Society's main office. Other buildings on the campus are the 1820 Parker Hall Law Office; a 19th century Carriage House that contains an exhibit of agricultural and related tools; an 1876 brick Learning Center which was an early Sheffield greenhouse; an unusual early 19th century double chamber Greek Revival Smokehouse; the early 19th century Hatter's Shop which now contains the collection of the Mark Dewey Research Center; and a circa 1834 commercial building, known locally as the Old Stone Store, which is presently undergoing restoration to serve as a museum, community information center and artifact storage area.

The Society's campus is located in the center of historic Sheffield, Massachusetts on route 7, just north of the Connecticut State line and immediately south of Great Barrington. It is easily accessible from all major highways in the region including Interstate 90 (Mass Pike) and is served by two regional airports, Albany, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut as well as public bus lines.