Old Trolleys of Great Barrington and Housatonic

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GREAT BARRINGTON – As gasoline prices skyrocket, many folks yearn for the by-gone days of less expensive trolley car transportation. During the first half of the 20th century, the Berkshire Street Railway operated a line of trolleys throughout Berkshire County and beyond with connecting tracks in four states. For a time, it was the largest trolley system in the United States.

From 1902 until 1930, these trolleys rumbled down the streets of Great Barrington and Housatonic. An exhibit of rarely-seen vintage trolley photographs from the Great Barrington Historical Society and private collections is now on display at the Great Barrington post office.

The exhibit will run through August. It was curated by Gary Leveille, a local historian, writer, and vice-president of the Great Barrington Historical Society.

The Great Barrington Historical Society is a non-profit organization established in 1977. It regularly holds programs, organizes exhibits, publishes a newsletter, conducts walking tours and answers historical inquiries. The society’s Web site is www.greatbarringtonhistoricalsociety.org
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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