Great Barrington was founded in 1766 and is the Southern Berkshires' largest town and commercial hub. Its Main Street was the first in the United States to have electric lights. The town is the site of the first armed resistance against the British, two years before the Revolutionary War, and is the sire of the first freed slave. The vibrant downtown and mid-19th century charm, is easily walkable and infinitely enjoyable. The shopping experience can include galleries, culture, fine restaurants, boutiques and historic sites and landmarks. Great Barrington's year-round residents include a mix of natives, transplants from metropolitan areas and students from nearby private schools. The town also includes the village of Housatonic to the north, a former thriving mill town that is now home to many unique art galleries and other creative businesses and its own public library.