Hancock

Town in Berkshire County, western Massachusetts, adjoining Pittsfield; population (1998 est) 600. Primarily a resort community, with little industry, Hancock is situated in the Berkshire Hills and was settled c. 1762.

It is the site of the Hancock Shaker Village, a religious community active from 1790 to 1960; twenty buildings have been restored, and with a working farm form a living museum.

The Jiminy Peak ski area and most of Pittsfield State Forest are near Hancock.

Hancock

City in Houghton County, in the northwest of Michigan's Upper Peninsula; population (2000) 4,300. Hancock lies on the Keweenaw Portage Canal, opposite Houghton, 113 km/70 mi northwest of Marquette.

Founded in 1859 during the copper boom, Hancock relies largely on waterway trade and tourism. It also makes mining machinery and wood, iron, and brass products. There is commercial fishing and lumber milling here. Hancock is the site of Suomi College, founded by Finns in 1896. Photographer Edward Steichen spent his boyhood here.