W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic Site

The W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic Site is a collaborative project to identify and interpret those sites in and around Great Barrington, MA that were influential in the life of W.E.B. Du Bois. William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois was an American-born Ghanaian sociologist, socialist, historian, and Pan-Africanist civil rights activist. He was born in Great Barrington, MA on February 23, 1868. During his prolific career, Du Bois confronted racism, poverty, the subordination of women, environmental degradation, the horror of war, and nuclear weapons. He promoted education as a fundamental right and was a central figure in twentieth-century movements for world peace, civil rights, and self-determination for people of African descent. Visitors can experience a self-guided, interpretive trail at the W.E.B. Du Bois Homesite located in a rural setting two miles from downtown Great Barrington. This trail highlights Du Bois's journey from Great Barrington to the world stage, information from ongoing archaeological excavations, and the Homesite dedication in 1969. Visitors can also explore DuBois's legacy in the landscape of downtown Great Barrington. Take the W.E.B Du Bois in Great Barrington Walking Tour to learn about places and people important to Du Bois.