BERKSHIRE SCENIC RAILWAY MUSEUM LEASES HISTORIC STOCKBRIDGE RAILROAD STATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 4, 2013

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum is proud to announce that it is taking formal control of the former New York, New Haven & Hartford RR historic Stockbridge Railroad Station through a lease agreement with the property’s current owner, the High Meadow Foundation. The non-profit railroad museum will now be responsible for the 5 acres of property. “We are humbled that the Fitzpatrick family and High Meadow Foundation is entrusting this important piece of Stockbridge history to the Berkshire Scenic. We will cherish it,” stated Rick Selva, President of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum.

For nine seasons from Memorial Day to the end of October, the historic Stockbridge Railroad Station was alive again as the southern terminus of BSRM’s popular scenic train rides and for three seasons it was known as the “North Pole” for BSRM’s sold out Polar Express Trains where hot chocolate, cookies and Santa Claus could be found. Even though BSRM cannot bring its trains to Stockbridge, it intends to install historic, educational exhibits and continue to use the property for occasional special events. BSRM also plans to market the beautiful building and grounds for weddings, business functions and other gatherings. “Our goal is to bring our tourist trains back here because Senator Fitzpatrick enjoyed seeing a Berkshire Scenic train and our passengers at the station,” commented Jay R. Green, Government Affairs Director for the BSRM, referencing State Senator Jack Fitzpatrick’s long standing tradition to often meet Berkshire Scenic trains as they arrived at the station. It was through the efforts of Senator Fitzpatrick that Berkshire Scenic resumed train rides in 2003 after being sidetracked in 1989 due to poor track condition.

The historic Stockbridge Railroad Station was built in 1893, replacing the original wooden structure, with funds partially furnished by the Laurel Hill Association, the nation’s first village improvement society. The association played an important role in the development of Stockbridge and helped create the town’s reputation as an attractive community. The association’s work to beautify the town encouraged the growth of tourism, including attracting wealthy cottagers who summered in Stockbridge and they received a handsome train station to greet them upon their arrival. Built with beautiful blue dolomite stone, it was designed by Architect Frank Waller in the English Gothic Revival style and used by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad until 1963. Over the years, it was used for several commercial ventures including the “Chemin de Fer” nightclub and was almost destroyed by a kitchen fire on July 22, 1965. It was purchased by Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick’s High Meadow Foundation in 1997 and subsequently restored as a railroad station.

Links to coverage by Berkshire Eagle & iberkshires on the acquisition of Stockbridge Railroad Station by Berkshire Scenic featuring some historical information:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_223442 ... ge-station


http://www.iberkshires.com/story/42954/ ... ation.html

Jay:

Glad to hear this great news. The station is a gem and its good to see it in the hands of an organization that will see it preserved.
Interestingly, I was looking at some images of the station online and came up with these very interesting drawings of the station by Frank Waller.
http://img2.etsystatic.com/004/0/544629 ... 6_3udt.jpg

Take care,
Steve

And the former host railroad which evicted BSRM has had another derailment.
The very little good track had by the Housatonic is that which was rehabilited by state funds so that the museum could operate safely. Ironic, no?