Service Area & Directions

BERKSHIRE SERVICE AREA

MHSAB's service area is comprised of the two cities and twenty-eight towns that make up Berkshire County, a mix of small cities, suburban and rural towns. Berkshire is the western-most County of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is bordered by Vermont to the north, New York to the west, Connecticut to the south and the Berkshire hills to the east. The population base is about 146,000 spread over 921 square miles. MHSAB serves about 9,000 Berkshire citizens per year.

The Berkshires are divided into three distinct sub-areas: North Berkshire (29%) is composed of the city of North Adams and seven northern towns; Central Berkshire (52%) consists of nine towns surrounding the City of Pittsfield (about 45,000 pop.) and is the geographical center of the Berkshires and the County seat; Southern Berkshire (19%) is composed of twelve towns, the largest of which is Great Barrington. MHSAB has mental health/substance abuse clinics in North Adams and in Great Barrington. In Pittsfield there are three mental health clinics and a substance abuse clinic.

The Berkshire population is primarily White in composition, with a small population of racial minorities (5%), which are 3% Black and 1% Hispanic. The population is primarily adult . Children under 18 account for 23% of the population, and there is a growing number of seniors, now 19% of the total population. Many ethnic minorities have made the Berkshires their home, including Italians, Polish, Irish, French Canadians and Russians.

The area is in the midst of a transition from a manufacturing economy to a tourist, service and technology economy. The Berkshires have become an attractive, year-round tourist area. They are about two and one-half hours driving time away from New York city and Boston. They are also about an hour away from Albany and Springfield. In the summer, they are the home of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow, the Berkshire Opera, Shakespeare and Company, and several summer theaters. There are several renown museums, including the Clark Art Institute, Mass MOCA, Chesterwood, the Berkshire Museum and the Norman Rockwell Museum. In the fall, the Berkshire hills come alive with color. In the winter, opportunities for skiing and other winter sports abound in the Berkshires and just north in Vermont.

The area boasts fine public and private elementary and secondary schools and is home to three colleges: Williams College and the Mass College of Liberal Arts in North Berkshire and Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield.

Directions to MHSAB's Administrative Offices
at 333 East Street, Pittsfield

FROM THE EAST
Mass Turnpike (Route 90) west to exit 2, Lee. North on route 20 through Lee and Lenox to center of Pittsfield. Right on East Street at Park Square. 333 East Street is two blocks on the left across from Pittsfield High School.

Or

Route 9 west from Northampton through Dalton to Coltsville intersection of Routes 9 and 8. Left on Merrill Road which ends at East Street. Right on East Street for about two miles. 333 East Street is on the right across from Pittsfield High School.

FROM THE NORTH
Route 7 south from Vermont and Williamstown to North Street Pittsfield. At Park Square left on East Street. 333 East Street is two blocks on left.

Or

Route 8 south from Vermont and North Adams to Coltsville intersection crossing route 9. Straight on Merrill Road to East Street. Right on East Street for two miles.

FROM THE SOUTH
Route 7 north from Connecticut through Sheffield, Great Barrington, Stockbridge and Lenox to center of Pittsfield. At Park Square, right on East Street for about two blocks.

Or

Route 91 north from Hartford, CT to Mass Turnpike (route 90) west. Follow directions from the west.

Or

Taconic State Parkway north in New York to route 295 east to route 41 in Richmond. Left on route 41 to route 20. Right on route 20 to South Street, Pittsfield. Left on South Street for one block to Park Square. Right on East Street for two blocks.

FROM THE WEST
Route 20 west from Albany to South Street, Pittsfield. Left on South Street for one block to Park Square. Right on East Street for two blocks.

Or

Route 90 East (New York Thruway) to Mass Turnpike exit 2, Lee. Follow above directions from the East to Pittsfield.