The Red Lion Inn, which has been welcoming guests to the Berkshires of MA since 1773, was our host hotel. The guests enjoyed accommodations in rooms decorated in the 1770’s era and antique furnishings throughout the Inn. The Lobby Ambassador, Simon the Cat, welcomed Bidwell cousins to the Inn.
The area of Stockbridge, MA is rich in history of our Bidwell ancestors. Attendees were able to choose from various tours which provided in depth information on the history of both the Bidwell and Brewer Families.
Rick Bidwell Wilcox, the Stockbridge Chief of Police, took us on a wonderful tour of Historic Stockbridge and the Stockbridge Cemetery on Friday afternoon.
Our group visited the Norman Rockwell Museum on Saturday morning for a self-guided tour of the museum, workshop, and many works of art by Norman Rockwell.
After a delicious lunch in the Hitchcock room of the Red Lion Inn on Saturday afternoon, Professor John Demos, gave a very informative talk on the “Life of the Bidwell Family in historic Stockbridge”.
The BFA general meeting and banquet were held on Saturday evening. Zeb Bidwell, our BFA Historian, put together a wonderful presentation honoring the 40th Anniversary of the BFA reunion. Everyone enjoyed seeing photos from many of the past reunions. The annual auction climaxed Saturday’s activities with lively bidding on a variety of donated items. The highlight of the auction was the “live models” wearing aprons which were being auctioned off. John-Jack Bidwell of NY, George Bidwell of Ontario, Wilma Spice of PA/CA, and the 2013 Reunion Host, Paula Moats served as our models.
Sunday morning took our group to the “Monterey Meeting House” which is the United Church of Christ in Monterey, MA. Adonijah Bidwell was the first minister of the church in the 1700’s. Reverend Liz Goodman offered a beautiful service including the reading our of “Memorial List” of those Bidwell cousins who passed away since the 2012 reunion.
The Bidwell House Museum served as the last stop of the reunion. Three different tours were offered at the Museum with a delicious lunch before the tours in the Carriage House. Attendees could tour the Bidwell House and ground and/or take a tour of the historic cemeteries of Monterey.
Everyone had a wonderful time exploring the Berkshires of MA.