The Town of Williamstown is located in the northwestern corner of Massachusetts, bordering Vermont and New York. Williamstown is a rural residential community that is the home of Williams College, a highly selective liberal arts institution.
The town creates a cosmopolitan flair in rural New England. The July 1984 issue of Connoisseur stated that Williamstown has the most art per capita of any American community. Williamstown is the home of the Sterling and Clark Art Institute, which houses one of the world's largest collections of Renoir and other impressionists. The Williams College Museum of Art has a fine collection in its own right. The Williamstown Theatre Festival, operating during the summer months, brings outstanding Broadway and Hollywood performers to the town.
Williamstown, despite the upscale art community, continues to possess many rural characteristics and the town has been proactive in preserving open space. Being located in the Berkshires, outstanding outdoor recreational activities abound, ranging from golf and tennis to cross-country skiing and hiking.
Williamstown was recognized by Norman Crampton in his book, The 100 Best Small Towns in America, which ranked Williamstown as the 18th best American Small Town, the only Massachusetts community included in the top 100.
