Berkshire County Historical Society Celebrates Plant a Tree Day

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join the Berkshire County Historical Society on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 pm as they celebrate Plant a Tree Day with a ceremonial planting of a young American elm "Jefferson" on Park Square. 
 
The tree will be planted to honor the Berkshires' first known environmentalist Lucretia Williams. Williams threw herself before the woodsman's axe to save a towering elm known as the Pittsfield Elm on Park Square in 1789. 
 
"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."
 
This free event is open to the public.
 
"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."
 

Tags: park square,   trees,   

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Pittsfield Council Preview: Firework Funds and Morningside Public Safety Request

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday will accept donations used to fund a belated Fourth of July fireworks display and see a councilor's request to consider reusing Morningside Community School as a police station. 

On the agenda for July 14 is a $22,000 gift from various individuals and organizations to support the fireworks, which went off on July 8 in the area of Wahconah Park. Pittsfield Cooperative Bank contributed $10,000, and George Haddad and Berkshire Property Managers each contributed $6,000. 

Pittsfield could not secure a vendor for the Fourth of July, but one was available a few days later because of a cancellation in another state. While there was no city-sponsored fireworks show on the Fourth of July this year, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, a fireworks display was held on Wednesday evening. 

Community members gathered around the Wahconah Park area to watch the show; the property is under construction while the grandstand is being demolished. 

"The city would like to extend a special thank you to the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, George Haddad, and Berkshire Property Managers for their support and sponsorship to make this year's fireworks display possible," Mayor Peter Marchetti wrote. 

The 2026 parade on July 4, "America 250 — Pittsfield Celebrates the Generations," celebrated 250 years of the nation and Pittsfield.  People, floats, cars, balloons, and more proceeded down South, North, and Wahconah streets to thousands of spectators.

Morningside recently retired as an elementary school after the School Committee determined that its lack of classroom walls created a difficult, noisy learning environment and impacted student success.  Students are reassigned to Allendale, Capeless, Egremont, and Williams elementary schools. 

Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham wants the city to explore turning the school into a "public safety and community resource hub."

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