Carole Owens to Appear at Pittsfield: Gem City Book Signing

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Author Carole Owens will sign copies of her newest book, Pittsfield: Gem City in the Gilded Age on Saturday, Dec. 22, from noon-2 p.m. at the Pittsfield Visitors Center, Colonial Theatre Annex, 109 South St. The event is hosted by the visitors center, which offers the book in its gift shop, and refreshments will be served. In Pittsfield: Gem City in the Gilded Age, illustrated throughout with vintage and contemporary photographs, Owens examines one of the most decadent times in history. From 1865 to 1917, Pittsfield attracted the American economic elite and played host to some of the most powerful characters of the time. The aristocratic lifestyles of John D. Rockefeller, William Stanley and fellow captains of industry demanded equally glamorous houses. All are here, along with stories of a star-studded society era that included the Vanderbilts and the Pullmans, Edwin H. Lincoln and Wild Bill Hickok. Pittsfield’s Gilded Age society is a largely unexamined facet of Berkshire County history. Unlike Lenox and Stockbridge, which remained largely agricultural and dependent on cottage industry, Pittsfield’s economy thrived, grew and prospered into the late nineteenth century, creating local millionaires by fostering the newest industries—energy and transportation. Pittsfield manufactured all the paper for American currency, was home to the first production of alternating current and boasted Tor Court, the most expensive of all the Berkshire cottages. The changes occurring in Pittsfield mirrored those in America itself. Owens has written eight books, including The Berkshire Cottages and The Lost Days of Agatha Christie, and has written for the Boston Globe, Ladies Home Journal and other publications. She has appeared on and served as a consultant for programs on A&E, PBS, the Travel Channel, the History Channel and Fox News. In addition, she has lectured at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Smithsonian, and has given more than six hundred talks at historical societies, universities and libraries.
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Weekend Outlook: Juneteenth and Pride Celebration

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Check out the events happening this weekend including parades, parties and celebrations.

Editor's Choices

10th Annual Berkshire Pride Festival and Parade
The Common Park, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 11 a.m.

The 10th annual pride parade and festival with fun games, performances, food, and more.

More information here.

Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival
Bowe Field, Adams
Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Visit the faerie realm in the Berkshires with food, music, activities, dancing and more. Tickets are sold at the gate for $12 and $5 for kids 12 and under.

More information here.

Juneteenth Celebration
Durant Park, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March to the park starts at City Hall, followed by music, dance, food, history and more hosted by NAACP Berkshires. The event is free and open to everyone.

Find a full schedule of the day's events here.

Friday 

Switch and Snacks: Teen Programming
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 2:30 p.m.

Teens are invited to bring their Nintendo Switches; there also will be multiple games and snacks for kids to enjoy and have fun.

More information here.

Common Craft Night
165 East Main St., North Adams
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Bring your craft and work with other people that might be doing the same thing as you.

More information here.

Friday Karaoke 
Dalton American Legion
Time: 6 to 11 p.m.

Belt out some of your favorite tunes and show off your voice.

More information here.

Wine Parlor & Bites
Revival House, Adams
Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
 
The Revival House on Commercial Street is hosting chef Xavier Jones for a popup restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays in June. Limited menu; $5 reservation includes beverage. 
 
More information here

Saturday 

UNO Block Party
UNO Community Center, North Adams
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.

The annual neighborhood block party features music, games, food, and more activities to enjoy.

More information here.

Stacy Schiff on Samuel Adams
Adams Theater, Park Street
Time: 4 p.m.
 
In conversation with Sara Houghteling, Pulitzer Prize-winner Stacy Schiff will explore the origins of the American Revolution as detailed in her latest work, "The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams," for whom the town is named. Schiff is an Adams native and Williams College graduate. 
 
Tickets and more information here

Scenic Summer Tours
Mount Greylock, Adams
Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy a free tour with a park interpreter to learn about Mount Greylock's history and more that make the Summit popular.

More information here.

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