postcards and photographs

Postcard, “Grazing on the Green River Bank, Williamstown, Mass,” postmarked 1916. Lent by Henry W. Art

Postcard, “Williamstown from Stone Hill,” postmarked 1909. Lent by Henry W. Art

Photograph, “View of Stone Hill from the Thompson Memorial Chapel,” mid-twentieth century. Lent by Williams College Archives

Photograph, “View of Christmas Lake and Stone Hill,” late nineteenth century. Lent by Williams College Archives

By the late nineteenth century, Williamstown was promoting itself as a tourist destination with a rich cultural history set in beautiful natural surroundings. Booklets and postcards featuring views in and around the town were published by local shops, inns, and hotels. Views of the town from Stone Hill were common, as were views along Stone Hill Road. Stone Hill Road, historically the primary highway connecting Williamstown and towns to the north and south, remained passable by automobiles until 1966.