Letter: Berkshire Scenic Railway Exhibit Worth Saving

To the Editor:

The Scenic Railway's retirement of its Berkshires History museum-car will surely disappoint the donors who contributed in excess of $110,000 in cash and labor to create it. How sad to read on the Internet, “This exhibit is now closed" — and not just sad for the lost investment.

This was the only educational facility in existence dedicated to covering the entire county’s beginnings, from exploration and first settlement in the 1700s through the cultural ascendancy of Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow today.

It’s true the displays emphasized South County, which is where settlement began and the Gilded Age flourished. The collection of interior photographs of the "Berkshire cottages" was unmatched but so was the depiction of the whole region's literary riches.

It’s also true no one came forward to maintain the museum car and its contents after tourist train service was halted and the Scenic Railway's revenue stream disappeared.

Tammy Daniels’ story mentions long-range plans or a museum at the former Sons of Italy site. If any of the unique displays survive the ravages of time — especially the compelling record of our region’s great role in literary and social life of America — perhaps they could find a home there. Berkshires schoolchildren deserve such a resource that otherwise seems headed for the recycle bin.
 

William C Sexton
Sarasota,Fla., & Pittsfield
Former board member, BSRM

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.