Knox Trail 250 Commemoration Brings Exhibit and Public Programs to Monterey

January/February 2025

Join the Bidwell House Museum, the Monterey Historical Society and the Monterey Library for a weekend of programs celebrating the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox leading his Noble Train of Artillery through the Berkshires.

During December of 1775 from Fort Ticonderoga in New York, 25-year-old Henry Knox led an expedition to move 60 tons of captured British artillery to the Continental army in Boston to force the British to evacuate the city. Knox’s journey took three months and came through the Berkshires in January of 1776, during the depths of winter, using little more than ox and horse-drawn sledges and manpower.

Beginning on January 16th, you can see an exhibit at the Monterey Library about Knox and the celebrations of his achievement that took place during the Bicentennial in 1976. There will be an opening reception and some short talks that evening. A full slate of activities are planned for Saturday including talks, stories around the fire and a hike. The full schedule of events can be seen below.

All activities for the weekend are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required. If you have questions about any of the programs you can call the Museum at (413) 528-6888 or email at bidwellhouse@gmail.com.

The exhibition opens Friday, January 16th, at 6:00 PM at the Monterey Library and features Knox Trail history, memorabilia, and materials from the 1976 Bicentennial reenactment. An opening reception will be held with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Monterey Library. At 7:00 PM, the evening program begins with introductory remarks by Mark Makuc, Heather Kowalski, and Rob Hoogs, followed by a Knox Trail media presentation by Jonathan Barkan and a talk and slide show on the Bicentennial commemoration of the Knox Trail in Monterey, presented by Rob Hoogs and Mark Makuc.

Saturday’s events begin at 9:00 AM at the Monterey Library, with the exhibit open and light refreshments available. At 10:00 AM, Rob Hoogs will present an illustrated talk titled Henry Knox and the Noble Train of Cannons through Monterey and the Greenwoods. At 11:00 AM, Jonathan Barkan will present a media show and talk on Henry Knox, the 1776 Noble Train of Cannons, the Bicentennial reenactment, and the remastering of the original 1976 slide show for the 250th anniversary, followed by a Q&A. A light lunch will be provided at 12:30 PM.

From 2:00 to 4:00 PM, programs move outdoors to the Bidwell House Museum. Participants are encouraged to dress for cold weather and walking on snow. Activities will include a bonfire with hot mulled cider, an introduction to the Knox Trail by Rob Hoogs, and a short guided walk along a section of the original trail near Brett Road.

Saturday evening programming will resume at the Monterey Library at 7:00 PM, with the exhibit open for viewing. From 7:30 to 8:30 PM, a panel discussion will feature Knox Trail historians Rob Hoogs, Bernie Drew, Gary Leveille, Ron Bernard, and Tom Ragusa. Copies of the new book, Ye Trodden Path, will be available.

The Knox Trail 250 commemoration is sponsored by the Monterey Library, Bidwell House Museum, and the Monterey Historical Society, with support from the Friends of the Monterey Library and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area. For updates, visit bidwellhousemuseum.org/events.