BCHS Presents Holiday Lights At Arrowhead

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society will offer a free virtual tour of Herman Melville's historic Arrowhead on Dec. 21 at 5:30 pm. 
 
Herman Melville celebrated Christmas at Arrowhead in the late nineteenth century, a time that gave rise to new Victorian holiday traditions such as tree decorating, gift giving, Santa Claus, greeting cards, stockings by the fire, church activities and family-oriented days of feasting and fun. 
 
This special tour recreates some of this splendor on with a special virtual evening tour of Arrowhead decorated as it might have been during the Melville family's residence. The evening includes season readings, 19th century holiday recipes and a look at objects from the BCHS collection that are not often on view.  This event is free, but pre-registration is required; call 413 442 1793 or email melville@berkshirehistory.org.  
 
This event is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.
 
Winter Tours at Arrowhead
 
Through December 17, tours of Arrowhead are available on Saturdays only, at 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour size is limited to twelve; reservations are not accepted.
 
Between December 18–March 31, Arrowhead is available for private guided tours only. Tours must be scheduled at least one week in advance; phone 413 442 1793 or email melville@berkshirehistory.org.

Tags: arrowhead,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton OKs $22M Budget; Tables Concrete Sidewalk Article

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Voters approved all but one of the 22 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School.
 
More than one hundred registered voters attended the meeting, which lasted more than three hours, to vote on the budget, school district regional agreement, a proposed bylaw change, and various spending items for town equipment, repairs, projects, and initiatives.
 
The town budget of $22,951,092 is an increase of $1,449,376, or approximately 6.74 percent, over this year. Of that, the Central Berkshire Regional School District assessment of $10,537,044 and the town operating budget of $10,147,991 are included. 
 
Article 1, which proposed amending the town bylaw to make concrete sidewalks the standard, was tabled after a 20-minute discussion that included questions and concerns about its language. More on sidewalks here.
 
This has recently been a hot topic, making its way through town government boards and committees will continue with a Planning Board public hearing.  
 
Planning Board member Zack McCain motioned to table the article until a public hearing, where the details could be discussed further. He said this is common practice for bylaw amendments. 
 
During the discussion, voters also urged the need for sidewalks on Orchard Road. The Department of Public Works budget only has $12,000 to cover the cost of maintaining town sidewalks. 
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories