Elizabeth Freeman Center Relocates

02:06PM / Thursday, December 19, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) has moved its main office from 43 Francis Ave. to 66 Allen St. in the center of Pittsfield.

Its satellite offices at 168 Main St. in Great Barrington and 61 Main St. in North Adams will continue to operate as normal.

This move addresses challenges posed by the current office, which no longer has the capacity to address the growing needs of survivors and the community. After months of searching for solutions, Elizabeth Freeman center completed the purchase of the building, made possible by a mortgage from Lee Bank, on August 19th, 2024.

"We are thrilled to take this step forward in our mission to serve survivors," said Divya Chaturvedi, the new Executive Director of EFC.

EFC is the primary domestic violence program and rape crisis center for Berkshire County. The organization has staff sited in four county courts, two police stations, Berkshire County Kids' Place, and Berkshire Pride, as well as a safe shelter. EFC serves over 4,000 survivors and their families every year and provides violence prevention/sex education to approximately 600 youth in Berkshire County schools.

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Pittsfield Considers Repairing East Part Cemetery

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:57AM / Friday, October 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission will consider grant opportunities for repairs to East Part Cemetery.

A resident reached out to the city with concerns about degradation in the half-acre burial ground at the top of Williams Street. East Part Cemetery was established in the early 1800s and has about 300 interments.

“It's a nice old cemetery, and basically, (the resident) had had concerns that the stone wall had taken some damage, the gravestones have taken some damage, and was wondering if there's anything that could be done to repair the gravestones and the wall," City Planner Kevin Rayner told the commission on Monday.

In cooperation with cemetery leadership and residents, the Historical Commission will consider applying for Community Preservation Act funds to support repairs. West Part Cemetery, on the other side of Pittsfield, has previously used CPA funds for revitalization work.

The 1080 Williams St. property is owned by the city and managed by the Pittsfield Cemetery Commission. Rayner presented photos of broken and overgrown gravestones, parts of the stone wall collapsing, and knocked-over obelisks.

Some aspects could use general maintenance and restoration, he observed.

According to the Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory's website, East Part Cemetery was established around 1808 on land owned by Nathan Webb, who permitted and authorized its use as a public burying ground.

In 1842, Nathan Webb's son, also named Nathan Webb, deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society of Pittsfield as a public burying ground, and in 1893 the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society transferred their control of the cemetery to the Proprietors of the Pittsfield Cemetery. Their action was confirmed by the Berkshire Probate Court.