Smithsonian Leaders Hail Berkshire Museum SparkLab Partnership

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Executives of the Smithsonian praised Berkshire Museum's new interactive SparkLab as part of the beginning of a new national initiative it hopes to spread around the country.

The new SparkLab exhibit area, which opened to the public on Saturday, is one of the first three of its kind, emphasizing an interactive environment aimed at instilling concepts of innovation and invention in youth.

“We think that real innovation will happen in this space,” according to Claudine Brown, Assistant Secretary of Education & Access at the Smithsonian. “Every SparkLab is different, and this one is architecturally beautiful.”

Berkshire Museum is one of 192 affiliate museums to the Smithsonian, and is among the first four satellite locations worldwide for the SparkLab exhibit program, which is also now in Reno, Kansas City, and India. Two more are currently in development in Alaska and Michigan.

“It is one of those museums that is an exemplar of the museums that we work with,” Brown said of the Berkshire Museum.

Jeffrey Brody, deputy director of the Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, said that the original SparkLab at the Lemelson Center served over 600,000 youth within its first three years. Early successes, he said, prompted the museum to open the program up as a national network.

“It is spectacular to have SparkLab at the Berkshire Museum,” Brody said.

SparkLab is a “multi-disciplinary experience” whose mission is to document and interpret invention, cultivate innovation, and promote education about the role of creativity and invention, he said.

“Our collective efforts to bring SparkLab here is a milestone in our common pursuit to share and instill in the next generation of young people, the knowledge and skills and tools that they're going to need to change the society around them."

Maria Mingalone, Berkshire Museum's Director of Interpretation, said that SparkLab is a crucial opportunity for children to have opportunities for unstructured play which cultivate creative learning.

“Play is really a child's work,” according to Mingalone. “It's so important to have a creative laboratory space that is child-directed, and allows visitors to gravitate toward the activities that they have a genuine interest in, and allows for open ended play and exploration."

“It's a reminder to us adults, too, to stay creative,” Mingalone said.

The unique space for the Berkshire Museum's SparkLab was designed by architects Tessa Kelly and Chris Parkinson of CPTK Architects, both Berkshire natives with an interest on educational and cultural projects.

The museum says the new exhibit will remain in action for at least the next two years.

Pittsfield Lights Now 12-Foot Christmas Tree

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:36PM / Monday, December 08, 2025

Events coordinator Jennifer VanBramer says the annual tree lighting has been held since 1945. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city lit its permanent Christmas tree, now 12 feet tall, to dozens of cheering community members on Friday. 

The annual tree lighting ceremony drew adults and children to Park Square as they waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive. It has been a Pittsfield tradition for 80 years, and a dedicated Christmas tree was planted in 2023. 

"This event has been a long-standing Pittsfield tradition since 1945, and every year it reminds us just how special our city truly is," Recreation & Special Events Coordinator Jennifer VanBramer said. 

"Each light on this tree is a symbol of each of us, our families, our neighbors, our shared hopes. When we come together, we shine brighter. Whether you've lived here your whole life or are joining us for the first time, thank you for being part of what makes Pittsfield such a special place to call home." 

Two children flipped the magic switch that lit the tree after a 10-second countdown. Soon after, Santa arrived on a firetruck and heard gift requests. 

Mayor Peter Marchetti thanked people for coming out on "probably one of the coldest nights of the year. 

"But it's not raining, and we've all been here in the rain before to light the tree," he said. 

The young fir started around 9 feet tall, and is expected to grow up to 50 feet in time.