Past Events

Marking the 200th anniversary of the Marquise de Lafayette’s visit to the Berkshires, New York Times-bestselling author Sarah Vowell joins us for a online conversation on April 8. Vowell’s book, Lafayette in the Somewhat United States, explores the patriot founders' alliance with France as personified by the teenage volunteer in George Washington's army, the Marquis de Lafayette. Part of the Berkshires250 and Lafayette200 celebrations, this event is presented in partnership with OLLI at Berkshire Community College and Housatonic Heritage. FREE…

When war between the colonies and the King broke out in Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, the question arose: What’s next? A band of patriots from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the future Vermont had an answer. Setting out from Hartford on April 28, and gathering more men en route, including 40 from the Pittsfield area under Col. James Easton, the expedition snatched Fort Ticonderoga from the British on May 10 in a daring pre-dawn raid, setting the course that…

Celebrate Arrowhead’s opening day with a special concert of sea shanties by Alex Harvey and Shinbone Alley. Come early and picnic on the grounds. Step into the tavern and warm up those swashbuckling vocal chords with hard ciders and beer from Berkshire Cider Project and Hot Plate Brewing Company ,for sale during the event. Alex Harvey is an old-world folklorist who performs street ballads and songs of the sea in a project he calls Shinbone Alley. At his performances listeners…

Celebrate opening day at Arrowhead and learn about the history of apples in New England. Walk through Arrowhead’s orchard and learn tips for selecting heirloom apples and proper fruit tree pruning. Matt Brogan of Berkshire Cider Project will also demonstrate tree grafting; cider samples will also be available for guests 21+. Free event, 10 am and 2 pm In 2022, Berkshire County Historical Society teamed up with Berkshire Cider Project to plant a new orchard at Arrowhead. About 25 apple…

Lafayette enthusiast Peter Reilly explores the nation’s obsession with the French General the Marquis de Lafayette – learn about his early life, his role in the American Revolution at just 19, and his famous tour from 1824 to 1825. Reilly will provide context and insight into the fascinating person who became George Washington’s confidante and later championed causes such as women’s education and abolition. Free event Programs commemorating the bicentennial of Lafayette’s visit to Pittsfield are sponsored by: The Feigenbaum…

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 shrub land make it an ideal site to monitor a broad range of breeding bird species.  Join the BBO researchers as they leverage the wonder of a bird in the hand to spark a curiosity about the natural world…

Our celebration of the bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to Pittsfield continues with a a wine tasting with noted Berkshire sommelier Philippe Jeanjean.  Jeanjean will guide us through a tasting of French wines from the regions cherished by the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson—two passionate wine connoisseurs of the American Revolution.  Accompanied by an elegant selection of artisanal cheeses and delightful pâtés, this experience promises a celebration of refined flavors and revolutionary spirit.  Join us in raising…