Historical Staffordshire: Winter View of Pittsfield Mass PlateCirca 1826-1834 | James & Ralph Clews Jeffrey B. Snyder, in Historical Stafforshire: American Patriots and Views, notes that "the central building is the First Congregational Church (1793-1853), the right hand structure was the Town Hall, the far left structure was the Berkshire Hotel (1826-1866). The prominent elm was well known for its size and beauty; the fence erected to protect it was built in 1820. Despite the towns-folk's best efforts, the tree was struck by lightning and torn down in 1861." The plate's highly decorative border of flowers and medallions frames this starkly beautiful American scene.
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