John Payson Williston Observatory

{{short description|Astronomical observatory}}

{{Infobox Observatory

| name = John Payson Williston Observatory

| image = 250px

| caption = The Williston Observatory, circa 1945-1955

| organization = Mount Holyoke College

| location = Jewett Lane
South Hadley, Massachusetts, United States

| altitude = 231 feet

| weather = [http://www.weatherforyou.com/weather/massachusetts/south_hadley.html South Hadley Weather]

| established = 1881{{cite web|url=https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/astronomy/williston|title=Williston Observatory|date=29 August 2017|publisher=}}

| website = [https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/astronomy/williston]

| telescope1_name = Refractor telescope

| telescope1_type = 8" Alvan Clark refractor telescope

}}

The John Payson Williston Observatory is an astronomical observatory located at the highest point on the Mount Holyoke College campus. Constructed in 1881, the observatory is a modest building with a rare 8" Alvan Clark refractor telescope created just before his death in 1887. It is maintained and operated by the Mount Holyoke College Astronomy Department.