'Art Box' Highlights Downtown Historic Sites in GB

Visitors at the intersection of Main Street and Castle Street in downtown Great Barrington can now see Town Hall as it appeared more than 100 years ago.

What was a drab, utilitarian traffic signal control box is now wrapped with an historic image of the building from the 1870s.

The art box project is spearheaded by the Town’s Historic District Commission. Member Jim Mercer proposed the idea to the Commission after being inspired by similar graphics in other downtowns. “I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to showcase our local architecture,” he said. 

This is the first of several installations of historic imagery planned on Main Street that will highlight the architecture and history of Great Barrington. Utility boxes at the intersections of St. James Place, Elm Street, Cottage Street, and State Road will feature historic scenes at those locations, juxtaposed against the existing buildings.

“We want to thank Gary Leveille of Berkshire Creative Communications for providing high quality scans of historic images, and also Franklin Marval of Cyanta Studios for printing and installing the work,” said Assistant Town Manager Chris Rembold.

Funding for this effort was secured by 1Berkshire, through the Regional Economic Development Organization grant program provided by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development.

Photo: Franklin Marval of Cyanta Studios