Berkshire Magazine July 2025 | Page 87

They range from the Boston Tea Party to lesser-known acts that were no less couragious or rebellious— some occurring right here in the Berkshires. Despite the efforts of local historians and commemorative monuments throughout this region, a straw poll shows that many here are unaware, like I was, of the crucial role that the Berkshires played in our independence.

When I lived just over the state line in Hillsdale, New York, for example, I knew of the plaque at the end of the property that read,“ Through this place passed Gen. Henry Knox in the winter of 1775-1776 to deliver to Gen. George Washington at Cambridge the train of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga used to force the British army to evacuate Boston.” Despite living just feet from the Henry Knox Trail, I had no sense of its historical significance. Years later, after moving to Great Barrington, I often walked right past another plaque outside Town Hall:“ Near this spot stood the first courthouse of Berkshire County erected 1764. Here, August 16, 1774, occurred the first open resistance to British rule in America” Again, I failed to appreciate what took place right under my nose— colonists protesting the Intolerable Acts, uniting against the British and moving with resolute determination toward a revolution.

As recently as May 1 of this year, I became aware of yet another important precursor to our independence when I joined a gathering in Pittsfield’ s Park Square to commemorate a secret meeting that occurred 250 years earlier at Easton’ s Tavern. That is where John Brown, Colonel James Easton, and Captain Edward Mott devised plans to capture Fort Ticonderoga and its cannons, clearing the way for Knox’ s remarkable journey. A plaque near Berkshire Museum, yet another one that I often passed but didn’ t pay attention to, states,“ Near this spot stood Easton’ s Tavern. Here on May 1, 1775, Colonel James Easton and John Brown of Pittsfield and Captain Edmund Mott of Preston, Conn. planned the capture of Fort Ticonderoga which on May 10 surrendered to the Continental volunteers under Ethan Allen with Colonel Easton second in command.”

“ There is no question that the leading factions of the Berkshires felt as strongly as those in any part of Massachusetts,” says Jonathan Lane, president of Rev250.“ My experience with the 250th celebrations so far, like the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’ s Ride, and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, shows that despite the political and social turmoil in the country, there is still a deep and abiding interest in this foundational story— and people are looking for more. The Berkshires should be prepared to capitalize on that, particularly in light of the Knox

FORT TICONDEROGA

LAKE GEORGE

LAKE CHAMPLAIN

FORT GEORGE GLENS FALLS

RIVERS & BODIES OF WATER

KNOX TRAIL

1975 REVISED TRAIL

Knox Trail 250, Conventures, Inc. Opposite, Henry Knox Entering Camp with Artillery, William H. Van Ingen.( Library of Congress)

Holiday August July 2025 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 85