Enjoying Berkshire Museums on a Tight Budget
Local Art Museums and Historical Sites Have Many Low Cost and Free Offerings
By: Larry Murray - Jun 19, 2008
During my travels through the Berkshires I feel like a hawk circling the prices posted at the gas stations along Route 7. Who would have thought that fueling up at $4.00 a gallon could feel like such a bargain. Or finding a gallon of milk for under $3.00. These are challenging times financially.
Soon we will be at the peak of the season, and with so much to do, every dollar has to work harder than ever before. That's why the time is so right to look at ways to save money on tickets and admissions. Happily, most of the commerical art galleries in our county are free, and a couple of museums, too, though curaters everywhere hope parents will remind their children that they are best enjoyed when "seen but not heard." Art should be the main focus of everyone's attention, not bad behavior.
In this first part of our report, we detail the Berkshire's leading museums and historical sites. In the second half, we will look at the performing arts.
First the good news. The Berkshires are not nearly as expensive as museums in the big cities, like New York's MoMA or The Metropolitan Museum which currently run $20 and parking even more than that! In Boston the MFA is up to $17, with the ICA and Gardner at about $12.
Here the museums walk a fine line between paying their bills and keeping admissions affordable. The regular adult admission to the Berkshire Museum is $10, while the Clark Art Institute and MoCA are $12.50. But even MoCA will rise to $15 after November 17 when the new Sol LeWitt Building opens.
Even paying full admission only covers part of the museum's expenses. Contributors, corporations, foundations and endowments usually cover the shortfall. Sometimes it doesn't as in the case of The Mount. So if you discover a place you really like, think about joining as a member to help them grow and prosper.
That said it is time to get on the road. With a little advance planning, your costs can go down, especially if you are a resident. The secret is your local library. It likely has passes you can borrow to admit you and your family or friends for free.
Most Berkshire libraries have free museum passes that can be borrowed for a day or two. These passes are usually restricted to local residents, and allow up to 4 persons per pass, 2 adults and 2 children, or in some cases, 4 persons total, regardless of age. All you need is a library card and you are good to go. The passes are lent for a day or two, but there are hefty fines for late returns, and even heavier penalties if you, god forbid, lose the pass.
If you do not currently have a card, here's the deal. Library cards are issued free of charge to any resident of the state of Massachusetts with identification showing a current address. Any out of state residents staying locally for a minimum of one week may present identification and proof of their local residence, and register without a fee.Once issued, these library cards can be used at the public libraries in the following seven Berkshire County towns: Pittsfield, Lee, Lenox, Sheffield, Richmond, Williamstown, and North Adams. Adams is not yet part of the system. One card allows privileges to all seven libraries.
In the North Adams library for example, they let you borrow passes to Mass MoCA, The Clark Art Institute, Norman Rockwell Museum, Berkshire Museum, and Hancock Shaker Village, among others. Pittsfield offters Arrowhead, Berkshire Museum, Mass MoCA, New England Quilt Museum, Norman Rockwell Museum and the Clark Art Institute.
There are no restrictions on when you can use the pass either, as long as the attraction is open, the pass is valid.
Here is a rundown on the other types of discounts offered by the museums:
Student Discounts
Arrowhead - $5 students with ID.
The Clark Art Institute is Free to full time students with ID and is Free to all from November 1 to May 31.
Mass MoCA - $9.00 for students
The Edith Wharton Mount Estate - $2-3 off depending on season.
Norman Rockwell $7.00 with College ID.
Ventfort Hall - $2.00 off regular $12.00 admission with ID
Williams College Museum of Art - Free at all times.
Senior Discounts
The Clark Art Institute is Free from November 1 to May 31.
Ventfort Hall - $2.00 off regular $12.00 admission
Williams College Museum of Art - Free at all times.
Sadly, most other museums in the Berkshires do not offer special discounts for seniors.
Family Discounts
Arrowhead - $3 children 6-14, Children 5 aqnd under Free.
Berkshire Museum - Children ages 3-18 Half Price, and under 3 free.
The Clark Art Institute is Free from November 1 to May 31, and free to children under 18 at all times.
Chesterwood - Children 6-18 $6.00, 5 and under Free.
Edith Wharton Estate - Children under age 6 Free.
Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio - Children $3.00.
Hancock Shaker Village - Youths 13-17 $7.50, Under 12 are Free.
Mass MoCA - $5.00 children 6-16, those 5 and under are Free.
Norman Rockwell - Children 18 and under free, up to 5 per adult admission.
Ventfort Hall - $5.00 Children 5-17,, Free under 5.
Williams College Museum of Art - Free at all times.
To find the hours and specific policies of these institutions, use our Arts Links feature at the top of the page. You will find a map locating each of the museums and galleries listed, as well as phone number and a quick link to their website. Just remember that fees and policies are subject to change.