Becket

Drive Times from Major Cities

• From Albany, NY: 1 hour
• From New York, NY: About 3 hours
• From Boston, MA: About 2 hours 15 minutes
• From Pittsfield, MA: About 45 minutes
• From Springfield, MA: About 1 hour

Community Resources and Amenities

• The Becket Athenaeum is a public library, community center, and technology center all rolled into one leading institution.
• Residents of all ages rely on the Becket Athenaeum for free programs, excellent internet service, and free evening workshops on a variety of topics from salsa dancing to nutrition.

• The Becket Arts Center is a community gathering place and a hub for events and arts and cultural programs. One such community event is the Hilltown Brouhaha, a day-long festival with live music, artisans, a book sale, and a family-friendly community dinner.
• Becket Arts Center programs include summer art camps for children, open studio showcases, evening lectures, and art exhibits.

• The Town of Becket publishes a monthly bulletin keeping residents up to date on town programs, local government news, and community improvement intiatives.

• Becket belongs to the Central Berkshire Regional School District along with member towns Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, Cummington, and Windsor.
• Central Berkshire Regional School District is the largest district by land area in Massachusetts.
• About 1,630 students attend school in one of the district's five schools; Becket Washington Elementary in Becket, Craneville Elementary in Dalton, Kittredge Elementary in Hinsdale, Nessacus Regional Middle School in Dalton, and Wahconah Regional High School in Dalton.

Health Care Resources

• Located about 40 minutes away in Great Barrington, Fairview Hospital is part of Berkshire Health Systems. Fairview is a primary acute care hospital with a full roster of medical services, general surgery, and orthopedic and maternity care.
• Berkshire Health Systems is headquartered in Pittsfield and serves as the region's leading provider of comprehensive health care services.

• Located about 30 minutes from Becket, Berkshire Medical Center has a 307-bed hospital. BMC has won honors from the American Heart Association, American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and the American College of Radiology for its high level of patient care and services.

Recreation and Culture

• The small town of Becket is home to what Time magazine calls a world-famous "hub and mecca of dancing" and what The New York Times describes as "the dance center of the nation."
• Thousands of visitors come each year from across the country and all over the world to experience hundreds of performances, classes, talks, tours, exhibits, and community events.

• A section of October Mountain State Forest is located in the northwestern corner of Becket.
• October Mountain is the largest state forest in Massachusetts and features miles of trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail.

• Located at the Canterbury Farm bed-and-breakfast, this ski touring center offers 22 kilometers of ski trails, both groomed and tracked, in a woodland setting. Trails are open in summer and fall for hiking.