
The Town of Sheffield is located in the Housatonic River Valley at the southern end of Berkshire County. With two distinct villages, Sheffield and Ashley Falls, the town's development pattern has been greatly influenced by its physical features: the Housatonic River and its wide floodplain; the Schenob Brook wetland complex (identified as one of the most unique unspoiled ecosystems in the world); and the steep slopes of the Berkshire Hills on the east and the Taconic Range on the west.
The oldest town in Berkshire County, the community has maintained its rich historical character. Noted for its deep agricultural soils, much of Sheffield remains open and in agricultural production. The combination of wide open river valley, mountain vistas and active farmland, residents feel, makes Sheffield one of the most beautiful towns in the Commonwealth, with the fall being an especially attractive time of year.
Sheffield is the largest member of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, which has recently completed construction in Sheffield of a new $25 million state-of-the-art school complex housing elementary, middle, and high school grades. Mt. Everett Regional School, the high school component, is nationally recognized for its innovative schedule and programs.
Located on U.S. Route 7, Sheffield is approximately one hour from Hartford, Springfield and Albany, and two and one-half hours from Boston and New York City. As a consequence of Sheffield's location in the Southern Berkshires, there is easy access to a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities, including ski areas, state parks and forests, and summer theater and music events.