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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Berkshire County Historical Society
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260529T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260529T213000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20260414T142059Z
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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:20260527T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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:20260520T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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:20260516T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T160000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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:20260417T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T220000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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:20260326T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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:20260304T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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:20260301T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260301T140000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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:20260222T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260222T120000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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;VALUE=DATE:20260110
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260111
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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:20251207T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251207T150000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
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;TZID=America/New_York:20251123T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251123T150000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20251014T202508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251024T144424Z
UID:7779-1763906400-1763910000@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Tantalizing Talks\, Tea and Toddies - Debby Applegate
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.  \nNovember 23 – Debby Applegate is an American historian and biographer. She is the author of Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler\, Icon of the Jazz Age and The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher\, for which she won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography. \n  \nTickets are $75 and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button.  Tickets for a live\, on-line presentation of the readings are also available for $35.  \nOther events in this series: \nNovember 9 – Simon Winchester \nDecember 7 – Michelle Young \nDecember 14 – Kevin O’Hara
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/tantalizing-talks-tea-and-toddies-debby-applegate/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250826T194525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T194525Z
UID:7649-1762974000-1762981200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:The Sea Beast
DESCRIPTION:This 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. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets; $20 for BCHS members\, $25 for non-members.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/the-sea-beast/
LOCATION:Beacon Cinema\, 57 North Street\, Pittsfield\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251109T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251109T150000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20251014T201133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251024T144512Z
UID:7772-1762696800-1762700400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Tantalizing Talks\, Tea and Toddies - Simon Winchester
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.  \nNovember 9 – Simon Winchester is the New York Times best-selling author of The Professor and the Madman. His recent titles include The Perfectionists and Land. Winchester was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to journalism and literature. He lives in Massachusetts and New York City. \n  \nTickets are $75 and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button.  Tickets for a live\, on-line presentation of the readings are also available for $35.  \nOther events in this series: \nNovember 23 – Debby Applegate \nDecember 7 – Michelle Young \nDecember 14 – Kevin O’Hara \n 
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/tantalizing-talks-tea-and-toddies-simon-winchester/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251107T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251107T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20251024T141841Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251024T141841Z
UID:7816-1762542000-1762549200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies: The Ghosts of Broadtail\, November 7
DESCRIPTION:This summer\, BCHS presented Strange Fancies\, an exploration of Pittsfield ghost lore\, the supernatural influences on Herman Melville’s imagination\, and the ghostly experiences reported at the Moby-Dick author’s former home led by Robert Oakes. \nThe tale continues this fall  at the Country Club of Pittsfield. Once known as Broadhall\, this building was the home of Melville’s friend\, fellow writer Sarah Morewood\, whom Melville often visited while he lived at Arrowhead.  \nAnd some say he may still be calling. Indeed\, both Melville’s ghost and that of Mrs. Morewood are said to haunt the house\, as well as others yet unidentified. 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. \nJoin Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires and ghost tour guide at Ventfort Hall and The Mount\, as he leads you through this historic Pittsfield property\, sharing accounts of sightings and other strange encounters reported by those who work there. Explore this unfolding mystery\, and discover for yourself whether Melville or Morewood—or others unknown—are haunting the house next door to Arrowhead. \nPlease note:  This tour involves climbing two flights of stairs. \nTickets will be available October 1 by using the BOOK NOW button; $25 for BCHS members\, $30 for non-members.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-the-ghosts-of-broadtail-november-7/
LOCATION:Country Club of Pittsfield\, 639 South Street\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251025T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251025T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20251008T185114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251024T142131Z
UID:7753-1761418800-1761426000@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies: The Ghosts of Broadhall - October 25
DESCRIPTION:SOLD OUT – USE THE BOOK NOW BUTTON TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR NOVEMBER  7 \nThis summer\, BCHS presented Strange Fancies\, an exploration of Pittsfield ghost lore\, the supernatural influences on Herman Melville’s imagination\, and the ghostly experiences reported at the Moby-Dick author’s former home led by Robert Oakes. \nThe tale continues this fall  at the Country Club of Pittsfield. Once known as Broadhall\, this building was the home of Melville’s friend\, fellow writer Sarah Morewood\, whom Melville often visited while he lived at Arrowhead.  \nAnd some say he may still be calling. Indeed\, both Melville’s ghost and that of Mrs. Morewood are said to haunt the house\, as well as others yet unidentified. 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. \nJoin Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires and ghost tour guide at Ventfort Hall and The Mount\, as he leads you through this historic Pittsfield property\, sharing accounts of sightings and other strange encounters reported by those who work there. Explore this unfolding mystery\, and discover for yourself whether Melville or Morewood—or others unknown—are haunting the house next door to Arrowhead. \nPlease note:  This tour involves climbing two flights of stairs. \nTickets will be available October 1 by using the BOOK NOW button; $25 for BCHS members\, $30 for non-members.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-the-ghosts-of-broadhall-october-25/
LOCATION:Country Club of Pittsfield\, 639 South Street\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250919T181329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251008T185329Z
UID:7700-1761289200-1761339600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies: The Ghosts of Broadhall
DESCRIPTION:SOLD OUT – A second date has been added — October 25.  \nThis summer\, BCHS presented Strange Fancies\, an exploration of Pittsfield ghost lore\, the supernatural influences on Herman Melville’s imagination\, and the ghostly experiences reported at the Moby-Dick author’s former home led by Robert Oakes. \nThe tale continues this fall  at the Country Club of Pittsfield. Once known as Broadhall\, this building was the home of Melville’s friend\, fellow writer Sarah Morewood\, whom Melville often visited while he lived at Arrowhead.  \nAnd some say he may still be calling. Indeed\, both Melville’s ghost and that of Mrs. Morewood are said to haunt the house\, as well as others yet unidentified. 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. \nJoin Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires and ghost tour guide at Ventfort Hall and The Mount\, as he leads you through this historic Pittsfield property\, sharing accounts of sightings and other strange encounters reported by those who work there. Explore this unfolding mystery\, and discover for yourself whether Melville or Morewood—or others unknown—are haunting the house next door to Arrowhead. \nPlease note:  This tour involves climbing two flights of stairs. \nTickets will be available October 1 by using the BOOK NOW button; $25 for BCHS members\, $30 for non-members.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-the-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:20251022T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251022T190000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250914T153026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250914T153026Z
UID:7692-1761154200-1761159600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Grandmother’s Wedding Dress
DESCRIPTION:A small late-nineteenth century scrapbook filled with fabric swatches reveals a story of fabrics and fashion in nineteenth-century Vermont\, as told by three generations of an ordinary family. This talk by historian Lorraine German uses the swatches and clothing information found in the scrapbook to tell the history of textiles in New England and the fashions of the period. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets; $15 for BCHS members\, $20 non members \nLorraine German and her late husband Steve established Mad River Antiques\, LLC in 2001\, with a concentration on 18th\, 19th\, and 20th century Americana and decorative arts. She has been a guest speaker at antiques shows\, museums\, and antiques organizations\, where she has covered a variety of topics\, including stoneware\, redware\, quilts\, Christmas ornaments\, and Santa Claus. Lorraine is also the author of Soil and Shul in the Berkshires: The Untold Story of Sandisfield’s Jewish Farm Colony\, published in 2018.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/grandmothers-wedding-dress/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251015T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251015T190000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250826T194134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250920T133946Z
UID:7645-1760549400-1760554800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Author to Author: Laurie Gwen Shapiro in Conversation with Debby Applegate
DESCRIPTION:The art of documenting an event or person’s life\, whether in film or in print\, is the subject of this conversation between author Debby Applegate and author/filmmaker Laurie Gwen Shapiro.  \nLaurie Gwen Shapiro is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist whose writing has appeared in The New Yorker\, The New York Times\, New York\, The Daily Beast\, Slate\, and others. Shapiro is the 2021 winner of the Damn History Award for “The Improbable Journey of Dorothy Parker’s Ashes” for The New Yorker and gold medallion winner in the People Profiles category for the Silurian Press Club’s 77th annual Excellence in Journalism Awards. She is the author of The Stowaway a best seller and an Indie next selection. She is an adjunct professor of journalism at The NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute in the graduate program. She is author of The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart\, George Putnam\, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon. \nDebby Applegate’s first book\, The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher\, her riveting account of the famous 19th-century preacher\, abolitionist and Berkshire resident\, won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Biography. Her second book\, Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler\, Icon of the Jazz Age\, was a New York Times Editors’ Choice for Best Books of 2021\, and won an Earphones Award for best audiobooks of 2021.  \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets; $15 BCHS members\, $20 non-members.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/author-to-author-laurie-gwen-shapiro-in-conversation-with-debby-applegate/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251011T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251011T160000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250822T144233Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T174309Z
UID:7629-1760176800-1760198400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Fall Fest at Arrowhead
DESCRIPTION:Berkshire Museum and the Berkshire County Historical Society are proud to present “Fall Fest”\, a FREE all-ages event at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead in Pittsfield\, Massachusetts! This event will celebrate the season with a variety of crafts\, games\, and hands-on activities for children and adults to enjoy\, as well as offering guests the opportunity to unwind and enjoy the fall colors on the scenic grounds at Arrowhead. \nParticipating Organizations: \nBaseball in the Berkshires\nBerkshire Athenaeum  \nBerkshire Museum\nBerkshire Be-Witches\nThe Bidwell House Museum \nBerkshire Cider Project will be on site to offer an all-ages cider pressing activity and samples of their local hard ciders for guests 21 years of age and over. \nStroll along the fields at Arrowhead to explore The Mastheads five sculptural-architectural studios\, each inspired by a writer who lived or worked in the Berkshires.  \nScheduled Activities\n10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Free hayrides provided by Four Seasons Stables\n12:00 – 2:00 pm: Face Painting by BTC Entertainment\n2:00 – 4:00 pm: BTC Entertainment presents Magic Show and Balloon Twisting by Kapt. Kraw \nLawn games provided by Berkshire Museum and the Berkshire County Historical Society. \nTours of Arrowhead\, Herman Melville’s historic home\, are available by ticket.  Purchase your ticket by using the BOOK NOW button.  \n 
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/fall-fest-at-arrowhead/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251010T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251010T190000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250908T201335Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T171925Z
UID:7684-1760117400-1760122800@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Artist Talk and Exhibit Opening - Francesca Olsen
DESCRIPTION:To celebrate the opening of What Quilts Reflect Back to Us\, Francesca Olsen’s showcase of quilts from the BCHS collection as well as her own creations\, BCHS hosts a “show and tell” event and artist talk.  Olsen will talk about the BCHS collection\, her own quilting\, and her residency experience at Arrowhead. Quilters are invited to bring and share their work in five-minute bursts; pre-registration is required for this portion of the talk.  Click here for more information or to register. \nFREE EVENT
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/artist-talk-francesca-olsen/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251008T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251008T190000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250829T141137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T165433Z
UID:7655-1759944600-1759950000@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:A Whale Ship was My Yale College and My Harvard: Herman Melville's Whaling Years
DESCRIPTION:In late December 1840\, adrift in his personal life\, 21-year-old Herman Melville arrived in New Bedford\, Massachusetts\, preparing to embark on a South Seas whaling voyage. His diverse experiences and adventures in the course of the ensuing nearly four years would profoundly shape him and his writings. During this time\, young Melville toiled as a foremast hand in the uniquely demanding and colorful social world of a whaleship on three different vessels and also served for more than a year as a seaman aboard a United States Navy frigate. His odyssey took him to far-flung South American ports\, the Galapagos Islands\, Tahiti\, and the Sandwich Islands. He lived among the indigenous people in the Marquesas Islands and also witnessed the early impacts of colonialism and Christian missionary work in the Pacific world. \nThis talk by Arrowhead docent and researcher Peter Hacunda will explore Melville’s life during the early 1840s\, consider how it shaped him and why a whaleship truly was Melville’s “Yale College and [his] Harvard.” \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets: $15 BCHS Members\, $20 non-members. \nAbout Peter Hacunda  \nAfter a decades-long international business career\, twenty years ago Peter Hacunda began following his passion for public history becoming a docent with the Alcatraz Night Tour program. Upon returning East\, he led tours at Newport’s Gilded Age mansions and served as “mate” on a duck boat in Providence. For fifteen years he volunteered at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park where he led walking tours\, including “In Ishmael’s Footsteps: Herman Melville’s New Bedford.” Peter is an alumnus of Mystic Seaport’s Munson Institute for American Maritime Studies and holds a Masters Degree in History from Providence College. In recent years\, as a panelist at the American History Association Conference\, he explored maritime perspectives on the California Gold Rush (2020) as well as how nineteenth-century British aristocrats helped preserve America’s historical and cultural legacies (2023). For the past two seasons as an Arrowhead docent\, Peter delights in connecting visitors with matters
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/a-whale-ship-was-my-yale-college-and-my-harvard-herman-melvilles-whaling-years/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250927T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250927T140000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250822T143142Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250901T134250Z
UID:7623-1758974400-1758981600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:The Noble Train Arrives
DESCRIPTION:The “noble train of artillery\,” also known as the Knox Expedition\, was an expedition led by Continental Army Colonel Henry Knox to transport sixty tons of heavy weaponry that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga to the Continental Army camps outside Boston—a journey of 300 miles—during the winter of 1775–76.  \nTo commemorate the 250th anniversary of this monumental journey\, which passed through Berkshire county\, BCHS welcomes costumed living-history  interpreters from Fort Ticonderoga to Arrowhead. Learn about the expedition and how oxen were used to pull the cannons. Hear from interpreters portraying frontier traders\, oxen drivers\, timber men\, carpenters\, blacksmiths\, and merchants what it was like to be part of this historic event. \nFREE event \nThis event is supported by The Feigenbaum Foundation\, Greylock Federal Credit Union\, and Housatonic Heritage.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/the-noble-train-arrives/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250919T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250919T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250904T140554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T140554Z
UID:7679-1758308400-1758315600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies:  Tales of Haunted Pittsfield
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening of Pittsfield ghost lore in this talk by Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires and ghost tour guide at The Mount and Ventfort Hall. In addition to Pittsfield ghost stories\, Oakes will discuss Herman Melville’s own “strange fancies\,” and the ghost writings of his friend and frequent Arrowhead visitor Nathaniel Hawthorne. The talk will be followed by a lantern-lit tour o Arrowhead. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets;  $20 for BCHS members\, $25 for non-members \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 The Mount. He has also given talks and readings and led a writing workshop at Arrowhead. 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.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-tales-of-haunted-pittsfield/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250913T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250913T123000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250822T141638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250822T141638Z
UID:7618-1757761200-1757766600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Ice Glen Walk
DESCRIPTION:On August 5\, 1850\, Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne met and hiked to the top of Monument Mountain beginning what would be a long and close friendship.  On that day\, they also hiked Ice Glen\, a small but stunning glacial ravine in Stockbridge. \nBerkshire County Historical Society volunteers will lead a leisurely stroll through Laurel Park\, across the Housatonic River\, and up into the hills of Ice Glen walking through giant boulder fields and enjoying cool ravine scenery! \nAdventurous hikers can venture into the boulders and crevices\, while others can return for a leisurely walk along the river.  \nFREE event. \nMeet at Stockbridge Town Hall; wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots\, bring water and bug repellent. In the event of rain\, the event will be held September 14.  \nThis event is supported by Housatonic Heritage. Learn more about them here. 
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/ice-glen-walk/
LOCATION:Ice  Glen\, Stockbridge\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250909T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250909T190000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250822T194036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T201017Z
UID:7640-1757439000-1757444400@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Paradise or Plight? Melville and Berkshire Industry
DESCRIPTION:Actor Marcus Kearns and historian John Dickson team up for a program discussing Herman Melville’s influence on industry in Berkshire County during the nineteenth century.   \nOld Red Mill\nThe evening begins with a dramatic reading of Melville’s short story The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids. First published in 1855\, the story combines two sketches\, one set in the center of London’s legal industry and the other in a New England paper factory (possibly based on The Old Red Mill in Dalton\, Massachusetts\, where Melville had visited).  \nJohn Dickson will then lead a discussion of the story and how Melville’s views on Industrialization influenced Berkshire County’s industrial history followed by a Q & A. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets; $15 BCHS members\, $20 non-members. \nMarcus Kearns\nFor the last decade\, Marcus has been in and out of NYC where he was staying busy as a props carpenter for Broadway\, production manager for everything from Redbull to Rhianna\, & performing whenever he had the chance. He moved back to the Berkshires in 2021 and worked as Director of Production & Operations for Barrington Stage Company until 2024 when he left to be a full time dad. Marcus most recently appeared on stage in ‘Circus & the Bard’ at Shakespeare & Company. \nJohn Dickson\nJohn Dickson serves as Chair of the Pittsfield Historical Commission and was a former board member of the Berkshire 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 where he completed a thesis on the Berkshire Athenaeum.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/paradise-or-plight-melville-and-berkshire-industry/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250829T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250829T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250620T200611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250620T200611Z
UID:7550-1756494000-1756501200@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies:  Tales of Haunted Pittsfield - August 29
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening of Pittsfield ghost lore in this talk by Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires and ghost tour guide at The Mount and Ventfort Hall. In addition to Pittsfield ghost stories\, Oakes will discuss Herman Melville’s own “strange fancies\,” and the ghost writings of his friend and frequent Arrowhead visitor Nathaniel Hawthorne. The talk will be followed by a lantern-lit tour o Arrowhead. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets;  $20 for BCHS members\, $25 for non-members \nThis program is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. \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 The Mount. He has also given talks and readings and led a writing workshop at Arrowhead. 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.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-tales-of-haunted-pittsfield-august-29/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250815T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250815T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250620T200355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250620T200355Z
UID:7548-1755284400-1755291600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Strange Fancies:  Tales of Haunted Pittsfield - August 15
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening of Pittsfield ghost lore in this talk by Robert Oakes\, author of Ghosts of the Berkshires and ghost tour guide at The Mount and Ventfort Hall. In addition to Pittsfield ghost stories\, Oakes will discuss Herman Melville’s own “strange fancies\,” and the ghost writings of his friend and frequent Arrowhead visitor Nathaniel Hawthorne. The talk will be followed by a lantern-lit tour o Arrowhead. \nUse the BOOK NOW button to purchase tickets;  $20 for BCHS members\, $25 for non-members \nThis program is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. \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 The Mount. He has also given talks and readings and led a writing workshop at Arrowhead. 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.
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/strange-fancies-tales-of-haunted-pittsfield-august-15/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250803T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250803T113000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250503T191136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250503T191618Z
UID:7414-1754211600-1754220600@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Monument Mountain Hike
DESCRIPTION:Join Berkshire County Historical Society and celebrate the day (August 5\, 1850) when Melville met Hawthorne on a hike up Monument Mountain. Read the poem they read together at the summit and share sparkling wine (they had champagne).  The guided hike takes approximately 2 ½ hours and is appropriate for families. Hikers should meet at the Monument Mountain Reservation Parking lot on Route 7 and should be prepared with their own water\, proper footwear\, hiking gear and bug repellent. Parking is free for members of the Trustees of Reservations only.  Free event\, 9 am. \nThis event is sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/monument-mountain-hike-4/
LOCATION:Monument Mountain\, Rte 7\, Great Barrington\, MA\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250801T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250801T183000
DTSTAMP:20260529T173431
CREATED:20250430T143924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T154846Z
UID:7361-1754069400-1754073000@berkshirehistory.org
SUMMARY:Billy Budd Audiobook Launch
DESCRIPTION:Join us at Arrowhead to celebrate Herman’s birthday and the launch of a brand-new audiobook  Billy Budd\, Sailor\, read by Paul Giamatti. We’ll have light refreshments\, drinks\, and cake. Listen to selections from the book and toast to the work that brought Herman out of obscurity when it was published in 1924. FREE \nLearn the story of how Paul Giamatti came to record this book as told by him to BCHS’s own Jana Laiz. \nThis event is sponsored by Guido’s Fresh Marketplace and Starbucks (Lee Massachusetts).
URL:https://berkshirehistory.org/event/billy-budd-audiobook-launch/
LOCATION:Arrowhead\, 780 Holmes Road\, Pittsfield\, MA\, 01201\, United States
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR