Events

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 …

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.  To commemorate the 250th anniversary …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.  Laurie 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 …

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 …

SOLD OUT - A second date has been added -- October 25.  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. The tale continues this fall  at the Country Club …

SOLD OUT - USE THE BOOK NOW BUTTON TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR NOVEMBER  7 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. The tale continues this fall  at the …

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. The tale continues this fall  at the Country Club of Pittsfield. Once known as Broadhall, this building was the home of Melville’s …