Berkshire History Theatre to Present 'I Am Pittsfield' at Arrowhead

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire History Theatre, in collaboration with Berkshire Historical Society, will present a new “Historic Pittsfield” play, “I Am Pittsfield: The Immigrant Century” from Aug. 13-29 in The Red Barn Theatre at Melville’s Arrowhead on Holmes Road.

Based on actual historical incidents culled from both written and oral history sources, “I Am Pittsfield: The Immigrant Century” explores the struggles and triumphs of successive waves of ethnic immigrants – Irish, African-American, French-Canadian, Polish and Italian – who arrived and settled in Pittsfield during the period 1840-1940.

Written and directed by Arrowhead’s playwright-in-residence Sally Filkins, author of “The Melville Trilogy," “I Am Pittsfield” treats themes of ethnic hostility, poverty, prejudice, abuse, hatred and fear, and the resultant disenfranchisement of “the other” throughout history. The play is set in Pittsfield locations ranging from the city’s  Underground Railroad Network to Pittsfield’s burgeoning mid-19th century woolen and cotton mills, to family homes in ethnic Pittsfield neighborhoods. “I Am Pittsfield” honors the achievements of the city’s diverse founders, both famous and obscure.
 

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.