The Berkshire County Historical Society offers guided tours of Herman Melville’s historic home, Arrowhead. Tours last approximately forty-five minutes and begin in the 1840’s historic barn, which also serves as an admissions and event space.
Following a brief introduction to Melville’s life and time in the Berkshires, the tour moves to the house where Melville and his family lived from 1850-1863. There you will see the huge dining room chimney that inspired Melville’s humorous short story, “I and My Chimney” (published in Putnams Monthly Magazine in 1856). In honor of his brother’s writing, Allen Melville printed the closing paragraphs of “I and My Chimney” on the chimney where it can still be viewed today.
Moving through the six interpreted rooms of the house, your guide will discuss Melville’s life in the Berkshires as well as some of the works written during his time here. Period furniture dating from the mid-19th century are displayed in each room, reflecting Melville’s residence there. In addition, objects from BCHS’s important costume collection are often displayed throughout the rooms offering a look inside nineteenth-century fashion.
Arguably the highlight of the tour is the final stop, Melville’s study. It is here where he wrote many of his most important works—including Bartleby the Scrivener, Benito Cereno, Pierre, The Confidence Man, I and My Chimney, and his masterpiece Moby-Dick, inspired by his view of Mount Greylock. Of his time at Arrowhead, Melville wrote to his editor, “I have a sort of sea- feeling here in the country. When I look out my study window, especially now that the ground is covered with snow, it reminds me of looking out a ship’s porthole.”
Visit the Hours and Admissions page for tour offerings and pricing. Reservations are not required, but you can use the BOOK NOW button to reserve your tour.