Artsy and outdoorsy vibes collide in the Northern Berkshires
The Town of Clarksburg is a rural community in the Northern Berkshires region of western Massachusetts. Once farmland, then a mill town, Clarksburg has maintained its rustic New England atmosphere for more than 250 years. Today, proximity to two state parks and easy access to some of the biggest centers for contemporary visual and performing arts in the country give it a touch of modernity, too. “It’s a nice, small, picturesque town, where there’s a lot of overlap between the artsy and outdoorsy folks,” says Susan Colvin, a Clarksburg native and Monarch Realty Realtor with over 15 years of real estate experience.
The Clark Institute in nearby Williamstown draws school groups from Clarksburg.
At the Natural Bridge State Park near Clarksburg, walkers often take to the trails and enjoy the scenery.
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Indoor/outdoor recreation at nearby state parks and Mass MOCA
Clarksburg State Park has nearly 370 acres of northern hardwood forest. A 4.5-mile hiking trail loops around Mausert’s Pond, where visitors can fish for pickerel and perch. Sharp-eyed park-goers may see otters or moose. To the south, Natural Bridge State Park features the only natural white marble arch in North America. Park rangers offer tours. Mount Greylock, the highest point in the state, is about 12 miles away. It’s accessible by car via Notch Road, which closes for snow between November and June. The Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art, or Mass MoCA, is a bright, airy 250,000-square-foot exhibit and performing arts space. “It’s a huge draw for the artsy people. They do all kinds of events and shows, it’s not just a museum,” Colvin says. Stationary exhibits showcase immersive, installation-style art, and over 75 music, avant-garde theater, alternative cabaret and contemporary dance performances are held throughout the year. Mass MoCA also hosts lectures, children’s story times and regular artist workshops.
At the northern boundary of Clarksburg State Park, the Vermont Line Trail is a great place to see wildlife.
Residents of Clarksburg can enjoy the modern art at Mass MOCA in nearby North Adams.
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A mix of classic New England home styles
Farmhouses, Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals built between the late 1800s and early 1900s are common, as are mid-to-late-20th-century split-levels and ranch-style homes. Prices start at $70,000 and quickly rise to over $1 million. Updated century-old farmhouses and Colonial Revivals, and large 21st-century New Traditional estates typically sell in the $700,000 to $1.1 million range. But the median hovers around the $200,000 mark, well below the median for the state. Most homes are on the market for less than a month before going under contract. “Inventory is kind of low, so if we get a listing, it goes pretty quickly,” Colvin says.
With the traditional farmhouse a prominent style in Clarksburg, many homes reflect the agrarian past.
This split-level house with a wonderful view is a grand example of the homes in Clarksburg.
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Kids attend North Berkshire School Union, North Adams Public Schools
Elementary and middle schoolers attend Clarksburg School, which gets a C grade from Niche. It’s part of the North Berkshire School Union, a small school system serving Clarksburg and several nearby communities. Drury High School, part of the North Adams Public Schools district, serves students from seventh to 12th grade. The C-plus-rated high school offers a dual enrollment program in partnership with the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Clarksburg Elementary School is not among the highest scoring schools in rankings, but the location is among the most scenic.
Drury High School in North Adams serves students from several surrounding towns.
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Limited shopping and dining options in Clarksburg
“For shopping and dining, good luck. There are a few little locally owned shops and restaurants in North Adams, but not much in Clarksburg. There are no chains out here,” Colvin says. The closest big-box retailers, like Walmart and Target, are in Pittsfield, over 20 miles away. For groceries, there’s a Big Y in North Adams. It’s on Mohawk Trail, a two-lane mountain highway famous for a hairpin turn. The curve crosses the North Adams-Clarksburg border, around The Golden Eagle Restaurant & Lounge. The American eatery offers panoramic views of the mountains from its double-decker terrace.
In Clarksburg, the nicest dining spot is the Golden Eagle Restaurant with its rustic decor and fabulous views.
Walking around the historic downtown of Adams, near Clarksburg, there are many shops and boutiques that attract people from all over.
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Massachusetts Route 8 connects to Vermont, Pittsfield
Massachusetts Route 8 runs through Clarksburg, connecting north toward Vermont and south to Pittsfield, about 23 miles away. The city is home to the Berkshire Medical Center and other regional employers, like General Dynamics. Berkshire Regional Transit Authority provides bus service from stops in North Adams to Pittsfield. The closest international airport is in Albany, New York. Depending on traffic, the nearly 50-mile drive takes about an hour.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Clarksburg, MA sell after 109 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Clarksburg, MA over the last 12 months is $297,000, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Renovated 3-bedroom, 1-bath home with bonus room on a spacious corner lot in desirable Clarksburg. Enjoy one-level living with an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area featuring a wood-burning fireplace. Sliders lead to a bright sunroom overlooking the large yard. Detached garage and shed offer extra storage. Newer septic system. Just down the street from Clarksburg State Park--perfect
Ready to move to Clarksburg? This three bedroom, 1 1/2 bath house is ready for your vision and updates. The boiler was replaced in 2019 and roof in 2023. Additional amenities are a paved driveway, enclosed front porch and back deck. Minutes from downtown North Adams and Mass MoCA.
Renovated 3-bedroom, 1-bath home with bonus room on a spacious corner lot in desirable Clarksburg. Enjoy one-level living with an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area featuring a wood-burning fireplace. Sliders lead to a bright sunroom overlooking the large yard. Detached garage and shed offer extra storage. Newer septic system. Just down the street from Clarksburg State Park--perfect
This charming Clarksburg home is ready for you to move right in. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, laundry room, and a bonus family room on the second floor. Located within walking distance to Mass Moca & downtown North Adams. Don't miss your chance to make it your own!
Commercial opportunity offering 6600 sq/ft of space located at the interesction of River St and Marshall St. Acrros the Street from MASS MoCA and the Porches Inn.
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