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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251207T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251207T150000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20251014T203323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T175936Z
UID:7786-1765116000-1765119600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:SOLD OUT - Tantalizing Talks\, Tea and Toddies - Michelle Young
DESCRIPTION:The Berkshire County Historical Society welcomes you to a special series of fund-raising readings featuring four authors with strong ties to the Berkshires. The readings take place in Herman Melville’s historic study where he wrote Moby-Dick inspired by his view of Mount Greylock. Following the readings\, guests can interact with the authors while enjoying tea\, hot toddies\, and a selection of sweets. In-person seating for this cozy afternoon is limited; all proceeds benefit BCHS restoration\, education\, and preservation programs.  \nDecember 7 – Michelle Young is an award-winning author\, professor\, and journalist. She is the author of the narrative non-fiction book The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland (HarperOne)\, which is longlisted for the 2025 American Library in Paris Book Award. \n  \n  \nOther events in this series: \nNovember 9 – Simon Winchester \nNovember 23 – Debby Applegate \nDecember 14 – Kevin O’Hara
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/tantalizing-talks-tea-and-toddies-michelle-young/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260110
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260111
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20251218T171439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T181327Z
UID:7886-1768003200-1768089599@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:The Noble Train of Artillery Returns to the Berkshires
DESCRIPTION:Between December 1775 and March 1776\, Henry Knox was ordered by General George Washington to do the unthinkable—transport artillery that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga and Fort George in New York to the Continental Army in the outskirts of Boston in order to drive the occupying British forces out of the important port city. In the middle of winter\, Knox found a way to drag fifty-nine cannons 300 miles\, crossing Lake Champlain by boat and using teams of horses to pull sledges over the mountains of the Berkshires. Called the “Noble Train of Artillery\,” this heroic trek was pivotal in securing one of the early victories in America’s war for independence. On January 10\, 2026\, the Berkshires will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Knox crossing into Massachusetts with a series of events in Alford and Great Barrington. \nJanuary 10 – The Noble Train of Artillery Returns to the Berkshires \n  \n10 am – State Line Crossing Ceremony Meet the horse-drawn sledges coming from New York and crossing into Massachusetts at the state line in Alford. This short ceremony will include a wreath laying by the Daughters of the American Revolution\, remarks from both New York and Massachusetts representatives and ceremonial volleys of cannons and muskets as the horses from  New York are unhitched and Massachusetts team are hitched as a new party of re-enactors takes over as the train heads into the Berkshires.  \nFREE\, Knox Trail historic marker\, Route 71 at the New York/Massachusetts border in Alford \nFollowing the ceremony\, the contingent will travel to Great Barrington Town Hall for brief remarks prior to the beginning of a 2 pm event at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. \n2 pm – Revolution 250 in partnership with Berkshires250 and MA250 present Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery CommemorationJoin us at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center for an afternoon celebrating the men and Berkshire townspeople whose perseverance helped secure the Continental Army’s first great strategic victory. The towns through which the Noble Train of Artillery passed—Alford\, North Egremont\, Great Barrington\, Monterey\, and Otis—will be recognized\, and a short video about the Knox Trail created by the Otis Historical Society will be shown. Light refreshments will follow.\nFREE (reservations required)\, Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center\, Great Barrington \n  \nThese events are supported by  \n \n \n \n \nAnd organized by \n \n \n \n \n 
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/the-noble-train-of-artillery-returns-to-the-berkshires/
LOCATION:Various locations
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260222T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260222T120000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260113T204558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T210559Z
UID:7919-1771758000-1771761600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Snowshoe at Arrowhead
DESCRIPTION:Close out Pittsfield’s 10 x10 Upstreet Arts Festival with a free family-friendly snowshoe hike around the grounds of Herman Melville’s historic house and farm\, Arrowhead. This easy walk includes an introduction to the site and brief history of Herman Melville’s life there as well as a scavenger hunt. Learn about Melville’s sleigh rides and decide for yourself if Mt. Greylock really looks like a white whale. Following the hike\, which will be lead by Berkshire Natural Resources Council\, visit the museum shop for free hot chocolate.   \nPlease bring water\, wear sturdy footwear\, and wear layers. Consider bringing snowshoes or microspikes\, if you have them. BNRC has pairs of both to loan if needed.  \nDifficulty: Trail is just under a mile with little elevation gain. \nFREE \n 
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/snowshoe-at-arrowhead/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260301T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260301T140000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260114T191927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T160308Z
UID:7932-1772370000-1772373600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Melville in Scotland: From the Pacific to Glasgow\, to Fife and Beyond
DESCRIPTION:Herman Melville is one of the greatest writers in world literature and his own quest to understand more of his Scottish ancestry has been noted but rarely explored to any depth. The Scottish recognition of Melville’s ancestry was established by Hugh MacDiarmid in the 1920s and extends into present-day scholarship and evolving understanding of his significance as a world-traveler\, ecological thinker and original initiator of geographical poetics.  \nFor this presentation\, Alan Riach\, Professor of Scottish Literature at Glasgow University\, draws on his reading of Melville’s original works and biography\, as well as his own experiences studying and teaching Melville in New Zealand\, his personal relationships with Glasgow and Fife\, and his visit to  Arrowhead. This accessible\, illustrated talk is presented via Zoom and brings a new engagement with Melville’s life and work into vivid focus. \nFREE\, email melville@berkshirehistory.org to receive the zoom link \nAbout Alan Riach\nAlan Riach\, Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow\, is a poet\, critic\, and one of the leading interpreters of Scotland’s cultural imagination. Born in Airdrie in 1957\, he studied at Cambridge and Glasgow before spending over a decade in New Zealand\, returning to take up his chair in Scottish literature. His publications span both poetry — This Folding Map\, An Open Return\, First & Last Songs\, Clearances\, Homecoming\, The Winter Book\, and The MacDiarmid Memorandum — and criticism\, most notably as General Editor of the Carcanet Collected Works of Hugh MacDiarmid and author of Hugh MacDiarmid’s Epic Poetry and Representing Scotland in Literature\, Popular Culture and Iconography. His work continually explores the intersections of literature with art\, music\, and national identity. Co-authored with Alexander Moffat\, Arts of Resistance: Poets\, Portraits and Landscapes of Modern Scotland (Luath\, 2008)\, was described in the Times Literary Supplement as ‘a landmark book’ and Riach’s 734-page Scottish Literature: An Introduction (Luath\, 2022) was described in The Times as ‘magisterial.’ Beyond his own writing\, Riach has been a cultural leader: former Convener of the Saltire Society\, he also served as President of the Association for Scottish Literary Studies (2006-2010) and remains active in literary and educational trusts. He has contributed widely to newspapers\, debates\, and public discussions\, championing the role of the arts in shaping Scotland’s sense of self. Combining scholarship with a poet’s sensibility\, and rooted in both family and community\, Riach embodies the conviction that literature is a living conversation between people\, place\, and history.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/melville-in-scotland-from-the-pacific-to-glasgow-to-fife-and-beyond/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260226T003236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T003236Z
UID:8074-1772650800-1772658000@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Film: The Sea Beast
DESCRIPTION:  \nThis special presentation of the first screen adaptation of Herman Melville’s epic novel Moby-Dick includes an introduction by Professor Richard Matturro. The iconic 1926 silent film stars John Barrymore and Dolores Costello and was directed by Millard Webb. The film\, despite taking liberties with Melville’s source material\, was a major commercial success and one of the highest grossing films of 1926. This is a rare opportunity to see this film on the big screen at the Beacon Cinema in downtown Pittsfield. \nVisit https://berkshirehistory.org/events/ and click BOOK NOW to purchase tickets; $20 for BCHS members\, $25 for non-members.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/film-the-sea-beast/
LOCATION:Beacon Cinema\, 57 North Street\, Pittsfield\, 01201\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshirehistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Theseabeast-scaled-1.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260211T190627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260213T180923Z
UID:8000-1774546200-1774549800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Poor in the Berkshires:  Poverty and Public Relief Before 1935
DESCRIPTION:The Pittsfield Town Farm\, or Poor Farm\, now the site of Berkshire Community College.\nIn this lecture presented by the Berkshire County Historical Society and The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute\, Cynthia Farr Brown examines questions related to related to poverty and public relief in the Berkshires before 1935. What happened two centuries ago when people had no food\, no housing\, or no fuel? Where did people go for support? How did they understand poverty? What did law and custom prescribe? What changed over time – and how quickly or slowly? This talk will examine being poor in the Berkshires\, from the mid-18th century when Europeans settled in the region\, until the depths of the Great Depression. Using primary records\, newspaper accounts\, and more\, we can learn about who was among the poor and how communities both supported and at times chose not to support those in need.  \nThis lecture takes place in the Susan B Anthony Center\, room G-12 Berkshire Community College and will be available online. Register for this event here. $10 \nAbout Cynthia Farr Brown\nBrown is President of the Board of Directors of the Berkshire County Historical Society at Arrowhead. She also serves on the board of the Non-Profit Center of the Berkshires and on the executive committee of Berkshire Educational Resources K12 (BERK12). Brown has a doctorate in United States history and her scholarly publications have included co-editing the institutional history\, “Lesley University: Celebrating Excellence 1909-2009”; as well as other publications. She is currently Senior Associate Commissioner for Regulatory and Veterans Affairs at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. \nAbout OLLI\nThe Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College in western Massachusetts is a dynamic learning community with over 1\,500 members that offers 200+ programs a year\, including five terms of courses\, lectures\, special events and trips\, shared interest groups\, and more! Our programs meet both online\, and in-person.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/poor-in-the-berkshires-poverty-and-public-relief-before-1935/
LOCATION:Berkshire Community College\, West Street\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T220000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260319T170819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T193745Z
UID:8112-1776452400-1776463200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Ghosts of Broadhall
DESCRIPTION:  \nSOLD OUT \n \nRobert Oakes\, ghost tour guide and author of Ghosts of the Berkshires\, will team up with paranormal investigator Drew Babineau\, owner of The Haunted Raven\, to offer a combined ghost tour and paranormal investigation of the Country Club of Pittsfield \nAt the start of the evening\, Oakes will lead a walk by flashlight through this historic property\, sharing accounts of spirit sightings and other strange encounters reported by those who work there.  Babineau will then guide guests through an active paranormal investigation\, using devices and methods meant to make contact with the spirits and document their presence. At the close of the evening\, guests will gather in the Club’s barroom to share stories of their experiences and discuss any findings. Drinks will be available for purchase.  \nOnce known as Broadhall\, the Country Club of Pittsfield’s clubhouse is one of the oldest properties in Pittsfield with a long and storied past. During the nineteenth century\, it was the home of writer Sarah Morewood\, friend to Herman Melville. When the Moby-Dick author lived just next door at Arrowhead\, he often stopped by to visit Mrs. Morewood\, and some say he may still be calling. Indeed\, both Melville’s ghost and that of Mrs. Morewood\, as well as others yet unidentified\, are said to haunt the house. Many have visited the property throughout its long history\, including Alexander Hamilton\, President John Tyler\, famous literati\, and formerly enslaved people. And many have died there\, including Mrs. Morewood\, as well as seventeen victims of a 1910 ice house explosion\, described as the worst disaster in Pittsfield history. \nPlease be advised that there will be several levels of stairs to climb in dim lighting. Also\, this event is not intended for children under 12 years old.  \nRobert Oakes writes books about ghosts and leads tours in haunted places. He has written three books\, The Ghostly Tales of the Berkshires (2023)\, Ghosts of Northwestern New Jersey (2022)\, and Ghosts of the Berkshires (2020). Since 2010\, Robert has led immersive ghost storytelling experiences at historic locations in the Berkshires\, including Ventfort Hall\, Edith Wharton’s The Mount\, and Herman Melville’s Arrowhead. He  encourages guests to step into the unknown\, to follow imagination and intuition\, and to open up to the many mysteries in our world. \nDrew Babineau\, owner of The Haunted Raven\, is a photographer and paranormal investigator who hosts ghost hunts in some of the most haunted places in the country. He teaches real investigative techniques and strives to give a voice to forgotten spirits. Fascinated by haunted locations and the stories of the departed that reside in them\, Babineau aims to bring a profound sense of respect and curiosity to these eerie places. By capturing their essence and narrating their histories\, he strives to give the spirits the recognition they deserve.  \n  \n 
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/ghosts-of-broadhall/
LOCATION:Country Club of Pittsfield\, 639 South Street\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T160000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260407T210431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T193120Z
UID:8214-1778929200-1778947200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Arrowhead Opening Day
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate Arrowhead’s summer opening with free fun for the whole family.  Activities include free wagon rides\, story hour featuring children’s books based on classic Melville tales\, silk screening demonstrations with Penny Arcade Press\, and a book launch and signing  for Herman Melville in the Berkshires by John Dickson\, historian and BCHS volunteer. \nFREE EVENT – tours of the historic house are available. Tickets are required\, reserve your time by using the BOOK NOW button. \nHorse-Drawn Wagon Rides\, 11 am – 2 pm – A team from Four Seasons Stables in Lanesboro takes you around Arrowhead’s field. \nSilk Screening\, 1 – 3 pm –  Pittsfield’s Penny Arcarde Press  will be on site demonstrating silkscreen printing with water-based ink. Prints made using this traditional\, hand-pulled method will be available for purchase in the museum shop. \nChildren’s Story Hour\, 2 pm – Explore new children’s books based on works by Herman Melville – Call Me Moby by Lars Kenseth and Bartleby by Matt Phelan. \nHerman Melville in the Berkshires with author John Dickson\, 4 pm –The Berkshires have long attracted artists and writers\, drawn to the mountains\, rivers\, forests\, and lakes of Western Massachusetts. Herman Melville first came here as a young boy and was so inspired by the surroundings that he returned to live here for thirteen years during one of the most productive writing periods of his life. He finished his masterpiece\, Moby-Dick\, in his first year here\, seated in his study with a view of Mount Greylock. “His first love\,” is the way his cousin described his relationship to his adopted home. He wandered on foot and horseback to all corners of the county\, tapping into the Berkshires in his art. The places he explored are sprinkled through the pages in his stories. Herman Melville in the Berkshires reveals the connections between Melville’s writing and the beauty of the landscape that inspired him. Sponsored by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). \nAbout John Dickson\nJohn Dickson serves as Chair of the Pittsfield Historical Commission and is a board member of the Berkshire County Historical Society.  He has authored a local history book\, Berkshire County’s Industrial Heritage\, on the 19th century mills in this corner of Massachusetts.  He received a master’s degree in public history having completed a thesis on the Berkshire Athenaeum. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/arrowhead-opening-day/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes\, Pittsfield\, MA\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T130349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T130349Z
UID:8262-1779298200-1779301800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Author Talk – Gail Gelburd
DESCRIPTION:The Berkshire County Historical Society welcomes Gail Gelburd to Arrowhead for a talk about her new book\, The Liberation of Sue Moody: Slaying Dragons. Based on the journals and letters of former Otis resident Sue Moody\, the book is a gripping chronicle of a woman from the Berkshires who\, as a journalist in 1939 Paris\, endured war\, hunger\, and constant threats to her safety\, yet refused to lose her voice or her sense of identity. Gelburd\, a member of the Otis Historical Commission\, scoured through boxes of Moody’s papers researching her novel resulting in an authentic telling of lived moments written with the weight of fear\, exhaustion\, and determination. \nGail Gelburd has a PhD and is an artist and author having written more than a dozen books\, mostly about artists . It is their personal story that has inspired her in each of her manuscripts. She has also been a professor and museum director. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\, $5 for BCHS members\, $10 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/author-talk-gail-gelburd/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T130524Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T130524Z
UID:8266-1779903000-1779906600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Author Talk - Barbara Viniar
DESCRIPTION:Barbara Viniar\, author of Little Bird\, will discuss her unexpected path to writing historical fiction\, inspired by an old photograph of her grandmother. She will talk about combining research and imagination to create the compelling story of a young immigrant who defies societal expectations to lead a fulfilling life.  \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\, $5 for BCHS members\, $10 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/author-talk-barbara-viniar/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260529T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260529T213000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T142059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T163107Z
UID:8361-1780077600-1780090200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies - Stories of Hauntings and Ghostly Inspiration at Arrowhead\, Home of Herman Melville - May 29
DESCRIPTION:EVENT CANCELLED \n\n\nWell-known ghost tour guide Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires\, will discuss the supernatural influences on the imagination of author Herman Melville\, as well as the ghostly writings of Melville’s friend and frequent Arrowhead visitor Nathaniel Hawthorne. The talk will be followed by a lantern-lit ghost tour of Melville’s historic home.  \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets $20 for BCHS members\, $25 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis 90-minute program is offered at 6 pm and 8 pm. Choose a time when purchasing your ticket. \nAbout Robert Oakes\nRobert Oakes is an author\, teacher\, storyteller\, and performing songwriter. He has written three books\, The Ghostly Tales of the Berkshires (2023)\, Ghosts of Northwestern New Jersey (2022)\, and Ghosts of the Berkshires (2020)\, all published by Arcadia Publishing. He has also released numerous recordings of original songs. Since 2010\, Robert has led immersive ghost storytelling experiences at historic locations in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts\, including Ventfort Hall and Edith Wharton’s home\, The Mount.  He has appeared on Syfy’s Ghost Hunters\, Jeff Belanger’s New England Legends series on PBS\, and The Apple Seed show on BYUradio and has been featured in The Boston Globe\, The Berkshire Eagle\, and numerous other media outlets. \nTo enhance your experience\, you may wish to read “The Piazza” by Melville and “Graves and Goblins” by Hawthorne prior to the program.  \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-stories-of-hauntings-and-ghostly-inspiration-at-arrowhead-home-of-herman-melville-may-29/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T131044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260523T174438Z
UID:8299-1780507800-1780511400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Author Talk - Julie Dobrow
DESCRIPTION:Author\, biographer and Tufts University professor Julie Dobrow’s new book\, Love and Loss After Wounded Knee: A Biography of an Extraordinary Interracial Marriage\, tells the complicated story of the lives and marriage of Elaine Goodale and Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman. In this talk\, Dubrow will discuss her book and the fascinating way in which she first discovered this story. \nLike many star-crossed lovers\, it was amazing that Elaine Goodale and\, Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohíye S’a)\, ever met in the first place. She was a white woman from Mount Washington\, Massachusetts\, who earned early fame as a childhood poet and was frequently mentioned as a “childhood poetic prodigy of the Berkshires.” Elaine travelled west in 1884 to teach Native American children. Charles was a Santee Dakota who had gone to Dartmouth College and the Boston University School of Medicine. Somehow\, they both ended up at the Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota in December of 1890 and fell in love at first sight. Three weeks later\, they announced their engagement. Then the Wounded Knee Massacre changed everything. \nAbout Julie Dobrow\nJulie Dobrow is a writer\, professor and researcher whose work focuses both on biography and history\, and also on children and media. She teaches at Tufts University. Much of her writing and teaching focuses on telling untold and under-told stories and shining new light on them \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\, $5 for BCHS members\, $10 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/author-talk-julie-dobrow/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T100000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260409T133619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T134401Z
UID:8238-1780556400-1780567200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Bird Banding - June 4
DESCRIPTION:Bird banding at Arrowhead allows visitors an up-close opportunity to see birds and watch the process of bird banding.  Bird banding allows researchers the opportunity to study a wide array of wild birds in their natural habitat. Arrowhead’s woods\, fields and shrubland make it an ideal site to monitor a broad range of breeding bird species.  Join the Berkshire Bird Observatory researchers as they leverage the wonder of a bird in the hand to spark a curiosity about the natural world while showcasing ecological interactions that connect us all. \nFree\, drop in event\, weather permitting \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/bird-banding-june-4/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260606T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260606T123000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T130755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T185735Z
UID:8270-1780743600-1780749000@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Melville in Downtown Pittsfield
DESCRIPTION:Herman Melville didn’t just stay holed up in his study at Arrowhead. He went to the center of Pittsfield frequently\, attended church there and lived off South Street for one year. Check out the places around Park Square that Melville frequented and even used in his writing. Join author and historian John Dickson for an engaging walk around the city center and learn about the places important to Melville. This approximately ninety-minute walk begins at the Berkshire Athenaeum\, Wendell Avenue. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\,  $15 for BCHS members\, $20 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nAbout John Dickson\nJohn Dickson serves as Chair of the Pittsfield Historical Commission and was a former board member of the Berkshire County Historical Society.  He is author of Berkshire County’s Industrial Heritage\, which chronicles the 19th century mills in this corner of Massachusetts.  He received a master’s degree in public history having completed a thesis on the Berkshire Athenaeum. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/melville-in-downtown-pittsfield/
LOCATION:Berkshire Athenaeum\, 1 Wendell Avenue\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260413T143949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T143949Z
UID:8320-1781112600-1781116200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Authors talk and book signing - Ye Trodden Path
DESCRIPTION:The Berkshire County Historical Society’s Melville Press celebrates the  publication of Ye Trodden Path\, a collaboration of local historians and authors Bernard Drew of Great Barrington; Gary Leveille of the Great Barrington Historical Society; Rob Hoogs\, Monterey Historical Society; Ron Bernard\, Sandisfield Historical Commission; and Tom Ragusa\, Otis Historical Commission with a free authors talk and book signing.  \nYe Trodden Path commemorates the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox’s epic 300 mile journey from Fort Ticonderoga\, New York\, to Boston\, Massachusetts\, delivering artillery to General George Washington to defeat British troops surrounding the city. It looks specifically at the sections of the Knox Trail that traversed the hills and valleys of the Berkshires and includes new scholarship by several historians that adds to and corrects previous accounts of the Noble Train of Artillery. The book details the road’s use before Knox came through\, the taverns and people along the way\, and how the road has been re-mapped through some of the towns providing a more precise route. \nThe fifty-six page book includes a a six-foot\, color fold-out map considered the definitive route taken by Knox as researched by Tom Ragusa; it is available  for purchase online or in the BCHS museum shop. \nThis event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation\,  Massachusetts Cultural Council\, and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/authors-talk-and-book-signing-ye-trodden-path/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260611T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260611T100000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260409T134007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T134435Z
UID:8242-1781161200-1781172000@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Bird Banding - June 11
DESCRIPTION:Bird banding at Arrowhead allows visitors an up-close opportunity to see birds and watch the process of bird banding.  Bird banding allows researchers the opportunity to study a wide array of wild birds in their natural habitat. Arrowhead’s woods\, fields and shrubland make it an ideal site to monitor a broad range of breeding bird species.  Join the Berkshire Bird Observatory researchers as they leverage the wonder of a bird in the hand to spark a curiosity about the natural world while showcasing ecological interactions that connect us all. \nFree\, drop in event\, weather permitting \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/bird-banding-june-11/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T123000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T131243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T131243Z
UID:8284-1781348400-1781353800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Downtown Pittsfield Walk – Neighbors and Strangers
DESCRIPTION:Led by Cynthia Farr Brown\, Neighbors and Strangers links the “big story” of America’s rapidly changing population during the 19th and early 20th centuries\, as European immigrants flocked to the United States to realize opportunities and escape oppression or catastrophe\, to a series of sites in downtown Pittsfield. Learn about how Irish\, German\, French\, and Italian immigrants came to Pittsfield\, settled themselves and their families\, and contributed to the Berkshire community. \nThis approximately ninety-minute walk begins at the Berkshire Athenaeum\, Wendell Avenue.  \nAbout Cynthia Farr Brown\nBrown is President of the Board of Directors of the Berkshire County Historical Society at Arrowhead. She also serves on the board of the Non-Profit Center of the Berkshires and on the executive committee of Berkshire Educational Resources K12 (BERK12). Brown has a doctorate in United States history and her scholarly publications have included co-editing the institutional history\, “Lesley University: Celebrating Excellence 1909-2009”; as well as other publications. She is currently Senior Associate Commissioner for Regulatory and Veterans Affairs at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\, $15 for BCHS members\, $20 for non-members . Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/downtown-pittsfield-walk-neighbors-and-strangers/
LOCATION:Berkshire Athenaeum\, 1 Wendell Avenue\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T190000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T131526Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T131526Z
UID:8329-1781717400-1781722800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Wine Tasting - Thomas Jefferson\, Wine Lover and Collector
DESCRIPTION:Thomas Jefferson’s passion for wine began early in his life\, but it blossomed during his years in France (1784–1789) as United States Minister. He traveled through Bordeaux\, Burgundy\, Champagne\, the Rhône\, and northern Italy\, taking meticulous notes. His journals reveal a striking fact:  many of the wines he admired some 250 years ago are still produced today! \nJoin WSET-3 Certified Sommelier Philippe Jeanjean in retracing Jefferson’s journey and experiencing his discoveries through a thoughtfully curated selection of  eight wines.  Accompanied by an elegant selection of artisanal cheeses and delightful pâtés\, this experience promises a celebration of refined flavors and revolutionary spirit.   \nSeating for this event is limited. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\,  $60 for BCHS members\, $65 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation\,  Massachusetts Cultural Council\, and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/wine-tasting-thomas-jefferson-wine-lover-and-collector/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260407T202817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T202817Z
UID:8211-1782322200-1782325800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Revolution in the Berkshires- Lecture by Carole Owens
DESCRIPTION:In Philadelphia on July 4\, 1776\, twelve of the thirteen colonies voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence (New York abstained). As the colonies declared themselves free and no longer part of the British Empire\, what was life like in the Berkshires? \nHow wide was a road\, how long did it take to get from Stockbridge to Philadelphia\, how fast could a horse go\, and were there any sidewalks?  What was life like? How were privileges and responsibilities different for men and for women? Who got married\, who was tried for fornication\, who was excommunicated\, who was jailed\, enslaved\, and foreclosed upon? In Pittsfield\, why was court held in a tavern? Around what issue did the population divide?  What were the stats and the stories of this momentous time in our history.  \nIn this free lecture\, historian Dr. Carole Owens answers questions about daily colonial life and the Berkshire stories of this momentous time in our history. Free event\, \nAbout Dr. Carole Owens\nCarole Owens received her doctorate in individual and family therapy. She worked for three decades designing and acting as chief operating officer of mental health programs as well as providing individual clinical services.  \nAfter retirement\, Owens taught at Berkshire Community College\, Massachusetts  College of Liberal Arts\, and Elderhostel (now Olli). She has lectured all over the country at libraries\, museums\, and conferences. She is a regular columnist for The Berkshire Eagle and author of 12 published books\, 3 in the works.  After moving to the Berkshires 50 years ago\, she\, as so many others\, fell in love with Berkshire County.  Almost all her books and articles are concentrated on local history.  \nThis event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation\,  Massachusetts Cultural Council\, and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/revolution-in-the-berkshires-lecture-by-carole-owens/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T100000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260409T134254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T134254Z
UID:8246-1782370800-1782381600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Bird Banding - June 25
DESCRIPTION:Bird banding at Arrowhead allows visitors an up-close opportunity to see birds and watch the process of bird banding.  Bird banding allows researchers the opportunity to study a wide array of wild birds in their natural habitat. Arrowhead’s woods\, fields and shrubland make it an ideal site to monitor a broad range of breeding bird species.  Join the Berkshire Bird Observatory researchers as they leverage the wonder of a bird in the hand to spark a curiosity about the natural world while showcasing ecological interactions that connect us all. \nFree\, drop in event\, weather permitting \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/bird-banding-june-25/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260626T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260626T213000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T195459Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260425T132930Z
UID:8377-1782493200-1782509400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies - Stories of Hauntings and Ghostly Inspiration at Arrowhead - June 26
DESCRIPTION:Well-known ghost tour guide Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires\, will discuss the supernatural influences on the imagination of author Herman Melville\, as well as the ghostly writings of Melville’s friend and frequent Arrowhead visitor Nathaniel Hawthorne. The talk will be followed by a lantern-lit ghost tour of Melville’s historic home.  \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets $20 for BCHS members\, $25 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis 90-minute program is offered at 6 pm and 8 pm. Choose a time when purchasing your ticket. \nAbout Robert Oakes\nRobert Oakes is an author\, teacher\, storyteller\, and performing songwriter. He has written three books\, The Ghostly Tales of the Berkshires (2023)\, Ghosts of Northwestern New Jersey (2022)\, and Ghosts of the Berkshires (2020)\, all published by Arcadia Publishing. He has also released numerous recordings of original songs. Since 2010\, Robert has led immersive ghost storytelling experiences at historic locations in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts\, including Ventfort Hall and Edith Wharton’s home\, The Mount.  He has appeared on Syfy’s Ghost Hunters\, Jeff Belanger’s New England Legends series on PBS\, and The Apple Seed show on BYUradio and has been featured in The Boston Globe\, The Berkshire Eagle\, and numerous other media outlets. \nTo enhance your experience\, you may wish to read “The Piazza” by Melville and “Graves and Goblins” by Hawthorne prior to the program.  \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-stories-of-hauntings-and-ghostly-inspiration-at-arrowhead-june-26/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T100000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260409T134655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T134655Z
UID:8249-1782975600-1782986400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Bird Banding - July 2
DESCRIPTION:Bird banding at Arrowhead allows visitors an up-close opportunity to see birds and watch the process of bird banding.  Bird banding allows researchers the opportunity to study a wide array of wild birds in their natural habitat. Arrowhead’s woods\, fields and shrubland make it an ideal site to monitor a broad range of breeding bird species.  Join the Berkshire Bird Observatory researchers as they leverage the wonder of a bird in the hand to spark a curiosity about the natural world while showcasing ecological interactions that connect us all. \nFree\, drop in event\, weather permitting \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/bird-banding-july-2/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T131732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T131732Z
UID:8278-1783531800-1783535400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:What a Glorious Crash They Made: Musick of New England’s Revolution
DESCRIPTION:Join Richard Franklin Donohue (tenor & harpsichord) as he features a collection of “New Songs” and Hymns published in New England during the American Revolution. From the time of the Stamp Act through the British surrender at Yorktown\, New England’s seditious colonists used these works to foment rebellion\, commemorate victory\, and give thanks for preservation.  \nDonohue will share his original research and explore this fiery repertoire that\, in the words of John Adams\, “cultivated the sensations of Freedom.”  The program spans the Revolutionary War years with selections like John Dickenson’s Liberty Song\, William Billings’ Chester\, Thomas Paine’s Liberty Tree\, and several popular British tunes with “new” texts reflecting the cause of freedom. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\,  $15 for BCHS members\, $20 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation\,  Massachusetts Cultural Council\, and Housatonic Heritage. \n \n 
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/what-a-glorious-crash-they-made-musick-of-new-englands-revolution/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260710T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260710T203000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260416T125754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T130106Z
UID:8387-1783710000-1783715400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Staged Reading of Plays in Progress
DESCRIPTION:From July 6 – 9\, Playwright\, performer and great\, great\, great granddaughter of Herman Melville\, Elizabeth Doss has been working with a group of writers to generate new works for the stage. Join with the workshop participants\, their families\, and friends for a staged reading of these new plays in progress.  A reception will follow. \nFree event \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/staged-reading-of-plays-in-progress/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260711T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260711T213000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260414T195739Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260425T133129Z
UID:8380-1783792800-1783805400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies - Stories of Hauntings and Ghostly Inspiration at Arrowhead - July 11
DESCRIPTION:Well-known ghost tour guide Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires\, will discuss the supernatural influences on the imagination of author Herman Melville\, as well as the ghostly writings of Melville’s friend and frequent Arrowhead visitor Nathaniel Hawthorne. The talk will be followed by a lantern-lit ghost tour of Melville’s historic home.  \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets $20 for BCHS members\, $25 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis 90-minute program is offered at 6 pm and 8 pm. Choose a time when purchasing your ticket. \nAbout Robert Oakes\nRobert Oakes is an author\, teacher\, storyteller\, and performing songwriter. He has written three books\, The Ghostly Tales of the Berkshires (2023)\, Ghosts of Northwestern New Jersey (2022)\, and Ghosts of the Berkshires (2020)\, all published by Arcadia Publishing. He has also released numerous recordings of original songs. Since 2010\, Robert has led immersive ghost storytelling experiences at historic locations in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts\, including Ventfort Hall and Edith Wharton’s home\, The Mount.  He has appeared on Syfy’s Ghost Hunters\, Jeff Belanger’s New England Legends series on PBS\, and The Apple Seed show on BYUradio and has been featured in The Boston Globe\, The Berkshire Eagle\, and numerous other media outlets. \nTo enhance your experience\, you may wish to read “The Piazza” by Melville and “Graves and Goblins” by Hawthorne prior to the program.  \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-stories-of-hauntings-and-ghostly-inspiration-at-arrowhead-july-11/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T100000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260409T134822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T134822Z
UID:8252-1784185200-1784196000@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Bird Banding - July 16
DESCRIPTION:Bird banding at Arrowhead allows visitors an up-close opportunity to see birds and watch the process of bird banding.  Bird banding allows researchers the opportunity to study a wide array of wild birds in their natural habitat. Arrowhead’s woods\, fields and shrubland make it an ideal site to monitor a broad range of breeding bird species.  Join the Berkshire Bird Observatory researchers as they leverage the wonder of a bird in the hand to spark a curiosity about the natural world while showcasing ecological interactions that connect us all. \nFree\, drop in event\, weather permitting \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/bird-banding-july-16/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T203000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260416T131830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T131830Z
UID:8398-1784228400-1784233800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Do You Need to Read the Confidence Man - July 16
DESCRIPTION:Performer\, playwright and great\, great\, great grand daughter of Herman Melville Elizabeth Doss returns to Arrowhead to “talk back” to The Confidence Man\, the last published and completed novel by Melville in his lifetime. Set on a steamboat cruising down Mississippi\, Doss jumps aboard\, probing this text to grapple with her own encounters with “Confidence Men\,” not to mention her own flagging confidence\, and what the hell Melville is really getting at in his perhaps strangest\, most provocative and perplexing text. Still early in its inception Doss asks you\, “Do you need to read The Confidence Man?” This one-person performance (hopefully) offers a healthy mixture of insight\, ignorance and some stabs at hilarity. Come cheer her on (or boo her off) for at Arrowhead. Directed by Kristin Osborn \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\, $20 for BCHS members $25 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage. \nAbout Elizabeth Doss\nElizabeth Doss is a writer\, performer\, director and playwright based in Austin\, Texas. She is a Co-artistic director of the theatre collective Paper Chairs\, which has produced world premieres of her original plays Murder Ballad Murder Mystery\, Hillcountry Underbelly\, Mast\, Poor Herman and Catalina de Erauso. Paper Chairs has also produced her translation/ adaptations of Federico Garcia Lorca’s\, The Audience and The Divine Narcissus by Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz. Her play Slumber Party\, was featured as part of the UTNT new theatre festival in March 2017 and Theatre En Bloc produced her play Severe Weather Warningat the Long Center in May 2019. Doss holds a BA in Spanish and an MFA in Playwriting\, both from the University of Texas at Austin. She played herself and Herman Melville in Mark Blumberg’s film\, The Act of Reading. And her personal essay\, “What Poor Herman Means to Me” was published in Leviathan in 2022. Most recently\, Paper Chairs co-produced Poor Herman at Arrowhead 2024 which played to sold-out audiences. As a performer she performs with Austin companies including Salvage Vanguard (Cry Pitch Carols\, Americamisfit)\, Rude Mechs (Dionysus in ‘69\, B Beaver Animation\, Fixing TImon of Athens) Theatre en Bloc (The Totalitarians.) She’s currently developing a new solo work\, Do You Need to Read the Confidence Man?\, which will premiere in Austin and the Berkshire summer 2026.  \nAbout Kristen Osborn\nKristen Osborn is an Austin-based director and creative producer who creates immersive stories that nurture human connection and spark wonder\, curiosity\, and joy. Her work spans film\, theater\, magic and live performance\, blending narrative\, interactivity\, and community engagement. Currently\, Kristen collaborates with Texas film company Sailor Bear on film development and production\, most recently contributing to the soon-to-be-released Mother Mary with A24. Her live work includes projects such as In & Of Itself (Daryl Roth Theatre\, The Geffen Playhouse\, Hulu)\, Dear Dickies (Mi Casa Es Tu Teatro Festival\, Hyde Park Theater)\, Group Therapy (American Dance Festival\, Fusebox Festival)\, and A Recipe for Action (Rainwater Innovation Grant Recipient\, University of Texas at Austin). Her most recent immersive work was showcased at SXSW in collaboration with Whole Foods and Food Tank.  She is an ensemble member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble in Chicago\, holds a BA in Theater from UCLA\, an MFA in Directing from UT Austin\, and is a graduate of the Texas Immersive Institute.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/do-you-need-to-read-the-confidence-man-july-16/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260717T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260717T203000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260416T132119Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T132119Z
UID:8403-1784314800-1784320200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Do You Need to Read the Confidence Man - July 17
DESCRIPTION:Performer\, playwright and great\, great\, great grand daughter of Herman Melville Elizabeth Doss returns to Arrowhead to “talk back” to The Confidence Man\, the last published and completed novel by Melville in his lifetime. Set on a steamboat cruising down Mississippi\, Doss jumps aboard\, probing this text to grapple with her own encounters with “Confidence Men\,” not to mention her own flagging confidence\, and what the hell Melville is really getting at in his perhaps strangest\, most provocative and perplexing text. Still early in its inception Doss asks you\, “Do you need to read The Confidence Man?” This one-person performance (hopefully) offers a healthy mixture of insight\, ignorance and some stabs at hilarity. Come cheer her on (or boo her off) for at Arrowhead. Directed by Kristin Osborn \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\, $20 for BCHS members $25 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage. \nAbout Elizabeth Doss\nElizabeth Doss is a writer\, performer\, director and playwright based in Austin\, Texas. She is a Co-artistic director of the theatre collective Paper Chairs\, which has produced world premieres of her original plays Murder Ballad Murder Mystery\, Hillcountry Underbelly\, Mast\, Poor Herman and Catalina de Erauso. Paper Chairs has also produced her translation/ adaptations of Federico Garcia Lorca’s\, The Audience and The Divine Narcissus by Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz. Her play Slumber Party\, was featured as part of the UTNT new theatre festival in March 2017 and Theatre En Bloc produced her play Severe Weather Warningat the Long Center in May 2019. Doss holds a BA in Spanish and an MFA in Playwriting\, both from the University of Texas at Austin. She played herself and Herman Melville in Mark Blumberg’s film\, The Act of Reading. And her personal essay\, “What Poor Herman Means to Me” was published in Leviathan in 2022. Most recently\, Paper Chairs co-produced Poor Herman at Arrowhead 2024 which played to sold-out audiences. As a performer she performs with Austin companies including Salvage Vanguard (Cry Pitch Carols\, Americamisfit)\, Rude Mechs (Dionysus in ‘69\, B Beaver Animation\, Fixing TImon of Athens) Theatre en Bloc (The Totalitarians.) She’s currently developing a new solo work\, Do You Need to Read the Confidence Man?\, which will premiere in Austin and the Berkshire summer 2026.  \nAbout Kristen Osborn\nKristen Osborn is an Austin-based director and creative producer who creates immersive stories that nurture human connection and spark wonder\, curiosity\, and joy. Her work spans film\, theater\, magic and live performance\, blending narrative\, interactivity\, and community engagement. Currently\, Kristen collaborates with Texas film company Sailor Bear on film development and production\, most recently contributing to the soon-to-be-released Mother Mary with A24. Her live work includes projects such as In & Of Itself (Daryl Roth Theatre\, The Geffen Playhouse\, Hulu)\, Dear Dickies (Mi Casa Es Tu Teatro Festival\, Hyde Park Theater)\, Group Therapy (American Dance Festival\, Fusebox Festival)\, and A Recipe for Action (Rainwater Innovation Grant Recipient\, University of Texas at Austin). Her most recent immersive work was showcased at SXSW in collaboration with Whole Foods and Food Tank.  She is an ensemble member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble in Chicago\, holds a BA in Theater from UCLA\, an MFA in Directing from UT Austin\, and is a graduate of the Texas Immersive Institute.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/do-you-need-to-read-the-confidence-man-july-17/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T203000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260416T132332Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T132332Z
UID:8407-1784401200-1784406600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Do You Need to Read the Confidence Man - July 18
DESCRIPTION:Performer\, playwright and great\, great\, great grand daughter of Herman Melville Elizabeth Doss returns to Arrowhead to “talk back” to The Confidence Man\, the last published and completed novel by Melville in his lifetime. Set on a steamboat cruising down Mississippi\, Doss jumps aboard\, probing this text to grapple with her own encounters with “Confidence Men\,” not to mention her own flagging confidence\, and what the hell Melville is really getting at in his perhaps strangest\, most provocative and perplexing text. Still early in its inception Doss asks you\, “Do you need to read The Confidence Man?” This one-person performance (hopefully) offers a healthy mixture of insight\, ignorance and some stabs at hilarity. Come cheer her on (or boo her off) for at Arrowhead. Directed by Kristin Osborn \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets\, $20 for BCHS members $25 for non-members. Become a member and start receiving discounts on event tickets. \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage. \nAbout Elizabeth Doss\nElizabeth Doss is a writer\, performer\, director and playwright based in Austin\, Texas. She is a Co-artistic director of the theatre collective Paper Chairs\, which has produced world premieres of her original plays Murder Ballad Murder Mystery\, Hillcountry Underbelly\, Mast\, Poor Herman and Catalina de Erauso. Paper Chairs has also produced her translation/ adaptations of Federico Garcia Lorca’s\, The Audience and The Divine Narcissus by Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz. Her play Slumber Party\, was featured as part of the UTNT new theatre festival in March 2017 and Theatre En Bloc produced her play Severe Weather Warningat the Long Center in May 2019. Doss holds a BA in Spanish and an MFA in Playwriting\, both from the University of Texas at Austin. She played herself and Herman Melville in Mark Blumberg’s film\, The Act of Reading. And her personal essay\, “What Poor Herman Means to Me” was published in Leviathan in 2022. Most recently\, Paper Chairs co-produced Poor Herman at Arrowhead 2024 which played to sold-out audiences. As a performer she performs with Austin companies including Salvage Vanguard (Cry Pitch Carols\, Americamisfit)\, Rude Mechs (Dionysus in ‘69\, B Beaver Animation\, Fixing TImon of Athens) Theatre en Bloc (The Totalitarians.) She’s currently developing a new solo work\, Do You Need to Read the Confidence Man?\, which will premiere in Austin and the Berkshire summer 2026.  \nAbout Kristen Osborn\nKristen Osborn is an Austin-based director and creative producer who creates immersive stories that nurture human connection and spark wonder\, curiosity\, and joy. Her work spans film\, theater\, magic and live performance\, blending narrative\, interactivity\, and community engagement. Currently\, Kristen collaborates with Texas film company Sailor Bear on film development and production\, most recently contributing to the soon-to-be-released Mother Mary with A24. Her live work includes projects such as In & Of Itself (Daryl Roth Theatre\, The Geffen Playhouse\, Hulu)\, Dear Dickies (Mi Casa Es Tu Teatro Festival\, Hyde Park Theater)\, Group Therapy (American Dance Festival\, Fusebox Festival)\, and A Recipe for Action (Rainwater Innovation Grant Recipient\, University of Texas at Austin). Her most recent immersive work was showcased at SXSW in collaboration with Whole Foods and Food Tank.  She is an ensemble member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble in Chicago\, holds a BA in Theater from UCLA\, an MFA in Directing from UT Austin\, and is a graduate of the Texas Immersive Institute.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/do-you-need-to-read-the-confidence-man-july-18/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T100000
DTSTAMP:20260529T181752
CREATED:20260409T135050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T135050Z
UID:8254-1784790000-1784800800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Bird Banding - July 23
DESCRIPTION:Bird banding at Arrowhead allows visitors an up-close opportunity to see birds and watch the process of bird banding.  Bird banding allows researchers the opportunity to study a wide array of wild birds in their natural habitat. Arrowhead’s woods\, fields and shrubland make it an ideal site to monitor a broad range of breeding bird species.  Join the Berkshire Bird Observatory researchers as they leverage the wonder of a bird in the hand to spark a curiosity about the natural world while showcasing ecological interactions that connect us all. \nFree\, drop in event\, weather permitting \nThis event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/bird-banding-july-23/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
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