Mrs. F. M. Griffin lived in Hinsdale, a beautiful town in the Berkshire Hills of west-central Massachusetts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinsdale,_Massachusetts
In October of 1908, Mrs. Griffin received a postcard from M. E. R.
The postcard was mailed from Stockbridge, a town in Berkshire County of west-central Massachusetts.
Originally established as a mission by British missionaries in 1734, Stockbridge became an important indigenous village whose right to the land was guaranteed by the Massachusetts General Court.
Nevertheless, when European settlers arrived in great numbers after the American Revolution, the promises were abrogated.
With the coming of the railroad in 1850, Stockbridge became a favored spot for building summer homes of wealthy Bostonians.
Today, the town is a year-round resort with numerous cultural centers and extensive wildlife and wilderness protections.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockbridge,_Massachusetts
Hinsdale is about 22 miles north of Stockbridge.
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The face of the postcard is a photograph of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Stockbridge.
It appears as though the square Church tower is surrounded by a tree-shaded lawn, but the encircling stone wall blocks that view in this photograph.
The structure does not resemble the many gothic or Neo-gothic churches that were erected at the turn of the 20th century.
Designed by the noted firm of McKim, Meade & White in 1883-1884, this example of early medieval architecture features a spacious interior under a timber-framed ceiling.
Artist, John La Farge created an impressive set of stained-glass windows that continue to draw visitors to the church.
https://library.bc.edu/lafargeglass/exhibits/show/descriptions/all-saints/saint-pauls
The postcard photograph was published by the Hugh C. Leighton Company of Portland; it was printed in Germany.
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On the reverse, MER asks, “How are you and what are you doing?”
The writer laments, “Haven’t heard from you in a long time.”
In Stockbridge, “We are just as busy as ever.”
MER complains, “Town is still filled with city people.”
(I believe that the “city” is Boston.)
In other news, “Ladies Aid at Harriett Stevens yesterday.”
MER “went out for supper.”
“Everybody about as usual here”.
“Henry goes to West Stockbridge to work Monday”.
One hopes that Henry was pleased with the job in West Stockbridge, that the Ladies Aid continued to do good works, and that the “city people” soon departed from the pretty town.
