New executive director J. Andrew Brian to lead Chesterwood

12:00AM / Friday, April 22, 2005Print Story | Email Story

On June 25, 1955, Chesterwood opened to the public with the dedication of the Studio as a museum. On May 1, 2005, Chesterwood will open its doors to celebrate its 50th season greeting visitors with newly appointed Director, J. Andrew Brian leading the site into the future, and another 50 years of enchanting all who pass through the gate. Andy Brian brings to Chesterwood thirty years of professional experience in the historical museum and preservation field. He says "I'm very excited about working at Chesterwood and getting involved in the community both locally and beyond, for the growth of public exposure and support for this unique and significant property." He comes to the Berkshires from Miami, Florida and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida where he was Museum Director, and most recently, President and CEO of the Historical Association of Southern Florida. He has been the Florida membership representative to the American Association for State and Local History since 1994, and on a number of occasions has acted as a grant reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. His past experience as a Head of Collections and Exhibitions at the Historic Museum of Southern Florida, and Restoration and Exhibit Specialist for the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board, made him the best choice for the position of Director of this magnificent historic site which is a flagship property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Chesterwood offers inspiration, breathtaking beauty, exciting vistas to explore, and programs that stimulate the imagination and senses. The celebration of 50 years of enchanting the public provides a season filled with events, lectures, demonstrations, walking tours and more. Events Planned for Chesterwood's 50th Anniversary Season: Summer Gala Saturday, August 6 Chesterwood's 50th Anniversary Celebration Christie's Auction: There will be music, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, and a live Christie's auction. Ron Della Chiesa, of WGBH radio hosts the event, admission charged. For more information, call Maureen Hannon at 413-298-3579 ext. 215 or email Chesterwood@nthp.org May: May 3 - Our Town Ourselves - Lenox Memorial Middle and High School students kick-off Historic Preservation Month with projects and reports chronicling the history of Lenox, on view in the Resource Room throughout May. Opening Reception 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. May 14 - Designing a Period Garden for Your Home - a workshop and walk with Sarah la Cour, landscape planner and historic landscape consultant, Dodson Assoc., Ltd., 10:00 to 2:00 at the Woodshed. Admission charged. May 19 - Student sculpture exhibition - students from Mt. Everett Regional High School with Sculpture Now and Flying Cloud Institute launch their outdoor sculpture exhibition with an opening reception from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The works are on view through June 16. May 31 - Memorials Dedicated to Abraham Lincoln in Literature and Music - a lecture by David L. Smith, Williams College Professor of English, on memorials dedicated to Abraham Lincoln both in literature and in music. 3:00 p.m. included with admission. June June 1 - "A Page in the History of American Art: The Opening of Chesterwood Museum." Manager of Collection and Interpretation, Linda Wesselman Jackson, launches a small exhibit in the Resource Area of the Barn Gallery in celebration of Chesterwood's 50th Anniversary. June 24 - Marks the start of the annual outdoor exhibition Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood with an opening reception for Friends of Chesterwood, 5:30 - 7:30. Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood is on view through Columbus Day. Walking tours of the exhibition are offered Fridays at 1:00 p.m. through August 26. Free with Admission. June 25 - A special tour of Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood with Guest Curator, Donna Hassler, 1:00 p.m. included with admission. Ms. Hassler, currently Executive Director of the Rensselaer County Historical Society, Troy, NY, is an art historian with a particular interest in sculpture. Tuesdays in July and August Summer Lecture Series 3:00 pm Free with paid admission, or $5.00 for lecture only July 5 - Piccirilli brothers brought to life, a lecture by teachers and Bronx historians, Bill and Mary Carroll, The Piccirilli Brothers, Sculptors and Carvers. The six Piccirilli brothers were stone carvers and sculptors who shaped some of the most familiar sculptures in New York City and the country, including the Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial. July 12 - Chesterwood Archivist, Wanda Magdeline Styka, presents "The Secret Studio of Daniel Chester French: A Walking Tour of the Meadowlark". Participants meet at the Visitor Center. July 19 - Chesterwood Manager of Collection and Interpretation, Linda Wesselman Jackson, presents, The Workshop of a Loved American Genius: Daniel Chester French's Studio at Chesterwood., a lecture at the Woodshed. July 26 -Associate Curator, Department of American Paintings and Sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thayer Tolles, presents One of the Greatest Interests of His Life: Daniel Chester French and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a lecture in the Woodshed August 9 - John Toole of Toole Insurance Agency and Arthur Dutil, Facilities Manager of The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Eden Hill present Preserve and Protect your Historic Property, a lecture in the Woodshed August 23 - Arthur Dutil, Facilities Manager of The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Eden Hill presents Identifying Maintenance Problems and Solutions for Older Buildings a lecture in the Woodshed Saturdays in July and August, Special events and lectures, free with paid admission. July 9 - Naturalist, Bob Kuchta, How the Trees Tell the Story of the Land, A walking tour throughout the woodlands and grounds, pointing out the native trees and vegetation, and also describing the specimen plants that were brought in by the owners. Explanation of the different habitats and management techniques employed on the property, to create the landscape that is there now, and how it might be different without management, 1:00 - 3:30. July 16 - Sculptor Eric Drury will offer a sculpture demonstration of his intricate paper sculpture designs, 1:30, at the lawn area behind the Barn Gallery. July 23 - Sculptor Bill Jackson presents Basic Bas Relief: From Clay to Wax the Old Fashioned Way, a lecture and demonstration at 1:30, at the lawn area behind the Barn Gallery. July 30 - Sculptor Bob Shure of Skylight Studios offers Sculpture, Molds & Casts: Process & History, a demonstration & lecture at 1:30, at the lawn area behind the Barn Gallery. August 13 - Sculptor Kimberly Radochia presents a sculpture lecture and demonstration 1:30 p.m. on the lawn behind the Barn Gallery. She will share how she produces site-specific sculpture and conceptual installation art inspired from organic forms and patterns and societal and environmental issues. August 20 - Sculptor Roger Phillips presents a slide lecture Metal Sculpture: Concept to Fabrication, 1:30 p.m. in the Woodshed. August 27 - Sculptor John Kingston will demonstrate clay modeling and plaster casting at 1:30 p.m. on the lawn behind the Barn Gallery. Sunday - Free with paid admission August 14 - Sculptor Leslie McKenna presents a sculpture lecture and demonstration of wood carving at 1:30 p.m. on the lawn behind the Barn Gallery. For Families July 8 through August 27 Sculpture is Fun! Mondays and Saturdays, 10:30-12:30 Architecture is Fun! Fridays 10:30 - 12:30 Specially-tailored tours and hands-on art activities. Recommended for families with children ages 5 - 12. Admission plus $3 activity fee per child. These programs are generously sponsored by the Berkshire Bank Foundation. Family Day, Sunday, July 31 Family Day at Chesterwood Sculpture is Fun!, a program for families with children, a performance by the Spirit of Isadora Dancers, a scavenger hunt, and birthday cake for all, in honor of Margaret French Cresson's birthday, included with admission. For more information on scheduled events, lectures and demonstrations call Chesterwood at 413-298-3579 ext 215, or check our web-site, www.Chesterwood.org Chesterwood is a National Trust Historic Site. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize communities. Its Washington, DC headquarters staff, six regional offices and 25 historic sites work with the Trust's quarter-million members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the Trust's web site at www.nationaltrust.org . Chesterwood is a National and Massachusetts Historic Landmark and is accredited by the American Association of Museums. The museum's programs are funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

02:13PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."

The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School.

The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday.

The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season.

The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations.

"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.

"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."

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