Library / Archives
The Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives contains over 200 cubic feet of manuscripts, 170 linear feet of books, 150 maps and atlases, 350 oral history tapes, and 14,000 photographic images. Letters, journals, government records, newspapers, and directories dating from the early 18th century to the present can be found here.
The Archives is available by appointment for public use. Members of BHS may visit the Archives free of charge. For non-members, $15 per hour with the first half hour free. Research inquiries may be addressed to: Berkshire Historical Society, 780 Holmes Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201 or can be submitted to our e-mail address under the subject “Archives.”
Finding aids are now available for some of our collections. Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information on the following:
M. Douglas Sackman: Herman Melville Collection, 1833-1979
4 boxes (2 cubic ft.)
Collection number: AM-203
Accession number: LA94.138
Abstract:
Collection of published and unpublished material relating to Herman Melville assembled by Melville scholar M. Douglas Sackman, including books by and about Herman Melville, original letters, journals, reviews, catalogs and bibliographies, pictures and ephemera.
Finding aid by Louisa Lebwohl, July 2012.
Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives
Berkshire County Historical Society
Pittsfield, MA
Terms of Access and Use:
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives, without any additional restrictions.
Scope and Contents of the Collection:
The bulk of the collection consists of printed and published material, with original letters and manuscripts by Melville scholars and a few Melville family letters. The collection also includes approximately 110 books, which are shelved in the Library and in the museum rooms.
This collection is organized into 8 series:
I: M. Douglas Sackman papers.
II: Melville Society.
III: Works of Herman Melville.
IV: Influences on Melville.
V: Melville family.
VI: Other Melville collections and publications.
VII: Melville criticism and biography.
VIII: Miscellaneous items.
Melville Collection, 1844-2012 (ongoing)
7 boxes (3 linear ft.)
Collection number: AM-205
Accession number: LA94.139
Abstract:
Collection of published and unpublished materials relating to Herman Melville, assembled by the Berkshire County Historical Society in connection with its occupancy of Arrowhead, Melville’s home from 1850-1863. The collection includes family letters, original published forms of Melville’s short stories, criticism and interpretation of Melville’s works, and biographical material on Herman Melville and other family members.
Finding aid by David Wood, 1995; updated by Louisa Lebwohl, June 2012.
Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives
Berkshire County Historical Society
Pittsfield, MA
Terms of Access and Use:
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives, without any additional restrictions.
Scope and Contents of the Collection:
The bulk of the collection consists of printed and published material, with a number of original letters and other personal papers from the Melville family.
This collection is organized into 9 series:
I: Works of Herman Melville.
II: Herman Melville biography.
III: Melville family.
IV: Melville criticism & interpretation.
V: Influences on Herman Melville.
VI: Melville Society papers.
VII: Other Melville collections.
VIII: Melville works & life in other art forms.
IX: Miscellaneous.
Arrowhead Collection, 1870-2012 (ongoing)
1 box (0.4 cubic ft.)
Collection number: AM-272
Accession number: LA94.190
Abstract:
A collection of materials related to Arrowhead, the house in Pittsfield, MA, which was acquired by the Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) in 1975 for use as its headquarters and to operate as a museum. The collection relates to the history of the house and the work of the Society to restore it to the state when it was the home of Herman Melville (1850-1863).
Finding aid by David Wood, 1995; updated by Louisa Lebwohl, August 2012.
Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives
Berkshire County Historical Society
Pittsfield, MA
Terms of Access and Use:
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives, without any additional restrictions.
Scope and Contents of the Collection:
Materials include photographs, historical accounts of the house and its previous occupants, documents related to architectural surveys of the house, BCHS publications, news clippings, and ephemera.
Invisible Community, 1830-2012 (ongoing)
3 boxes (1.2 linear ft.)
Collection number: AM-348
Abstract:
The Invisible Community: African Americans in Berkshire County was a project of the Berkshire County Historical Society in the late 1990s. Ethnic groups, most notably the African-American community, have traditionally been overlooked in histories of Berkshire County. The Invisible Community project intended to collect information on the historic presence of African-Americans in Berkshire County, and the role that community has played in the county’s history. This collection includes information concerning specific Berkshire residents, as well as institutions & events associated with the African-American community in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Finding aid by Louisa Lebwohl, June 2012.
Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives
Berkshire County Historical Society
Pittsfield, MA
Terms of Access and Use:
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives, without any additional restrictions.
Scope and Contents of the Collection:
The collection contains various findings of the Invisible Community project, and project records from the late 1990s. This collection is organized into 5 series:
I: General.
II: Publications.
III: Census records.
IV: Photographs.
V: Invisible Community (project) records.
Bliss/West/Backus Collection
3 boxes (1.2 linear ft.)
Collection number: AM-349
Abstract:
The Bliss, West, and Backus’ were three early Pittsfield families, some of whom settled here even prior to the city’s 1761 incorporation. The Backus family had significant involvement with the Pittsfield Fire Department, and owned a prominent storefront in the downtown area. During the 19th-century, intermarriage created associations between these three prominent families. Members of the Bliss, West, and Backus families are referenced throughout the four-volume History of Pittsfield, covering the years 1734-1955. The four volumes, and a comprehensive index, are available in the Margaret H. Hall Library at the Berkshire Historical Society.
Finding aid by Louisa Lebwohl, July 2012.
Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives
Berkshire County Historical Society
Pittsfield, MA
Terms of Access and Use:
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives, without any additional restrictions.
Scope and Contents of the Collection:
The bulk of the collection consists of images produced through a variety of photographic processes, most of which depict members of the Bliss, West, and Backus families and their Pittsfield surroundings. The collection also includes one written document and some genealogical information provided by the donor.
This collection is organized into 3 series:
I: Documents.
II: Photographs.
III: Ambrotypes, daguerrotypes, tintypes, etc.
Mill Collection
1 box (1.1 linear feet)
Collection number: AM-353
Abstract:
This collection contains information on various mills and factories throughout Berkshire County, Massachusetts, most operating in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Plans for specific mills also evidence changes in building ownership, and company affiliation, over time. The predominant industries are paper, cotton, and wool; of the companies, the most significant is Crane Paper, based in Dalton.
Finding aid by Louisa Lebwohl, August 2012.
Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives
Berkshire County Historical Society
Pittsfield, MA
Terms of Access and Use:
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives, without any additional restrictions.
Scope and Contents of the Collection:
The collection is primarily composed of late-19th and early-20th century architectural plans and maps of mills throughout Berkshire County. Also included are brief narrative histories of towns and mills, various pamphlets and supplemental information, and a few photographs.
This collection is organized into 13 series:
I: Berkshire County (General).
II: Adams.
III: Becket.
IV: Clarksburg.
V: Dalton.
VI: Great Barrington.
VII: Hinsdale.
VIII: Housatonic.
IX: Lee.
X: North Adams.
XI: Pittsfield.
XII: South Lee.
XIII: Williamstown.
Bousquet Collection, 1864-1987
3 boxes
Collection number: AM-354
Accession number: LA99.15
Abstract:
This collection was donated by Russell Bousquet, a Pittsfield resident. It focuses primarily on the city of Pittsfield, its history and events, through a variety of printed materials. Documents range from mid-19th-century annual reports on the Town of Pittsfield to late-20th-century newspaper clippings and tourist publications.
Finding aid by Louisa Lebwohl, August 2012.
Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives
Berkshire County Historical Society
Pittsfield, MA
Terms of Access and Use:
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives, without any additional restrictions.
Scope and Contents of the Collection:
The collection consists of materials on Berkshire County, Massachusetts, most of which are concentrated in Pittsfield. Contents include historical information on the town and county as well as tourist publications, memorabilia, and ephemera.
This collection is organized into 4 series:
I: Photographs.
II: Publications.
III: City of Pittsfield.
IV: Miscellaneous.
V: Newspapers.
