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Children gaze at one of the trees on display at the Berkshire Museum's Festival of Trees opening event on Nov. 15. The festival runs through Jan. 5; starting Jan. 1, children will receive free admission to the museum.

Berkshire Museum Will Be Free for Children Under 18 in 2020

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — All children under 18 years of age will receive free admission to the Berkshire Museum in 2020 through an initiative honoring Elizabeth "Buzz" McGraw, president of the museum's Board of Trustees.

The museum's annual gala in June raised more than $300,000 to support the museum's education programs and expand free access to its youngest visitors. Free admission for youth will begin in January 2020.

"We are so grateful to the many supporters who are making it possible for us to give back to the community in such a powerful way," said Jeff Rodgers, executive director of the Berkshire Museum. "And all of this in honor of Buzz McGraw who has worked so tirelessly to keep open the doors of this wonderful museum. There has been no stronger advocate for the Berkshire Museum."

This year, the museum welcomed all school groups free of charge thanks to funds raised at the museum's 2018 gala combined with support from Greylock Federal Credit Union and the Beauregard Family. Greylock Federal Credit Union has committed to fund free school admissions for next year as well.

"The center of the museum’s mission is education, which is so near and dear to me. I am so honored to be recognized in this way and thrilled that this wonderful museum will be even more accessible and more valuable to the young people of Berkshire County and this region," McGraw said. "Everyone’s generosity that evening was astounding and the support for the Berkshire Museum is stronger than ever. There is so much to learn and discover at the Berkshire Museum and now the youth in our community can return again and again in 2020."

 


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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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