Hancock Holiday Nights

08:00AM / Thursday, November 25, 2021Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — This December, Hancock Shaker Village will display a month long multi-sensory experience called Hancock Holiday Nights.

The 19th century New England setting will be transformed with festive decorations in five art light projections.

"If you've never experienced Hancock Shaker Village at night, you're in for a treat," said Hancock Shaker Village Director Jennifer Trainer Thompson. "There is an exquisite beauty, a palpable peacefulness and sense of wonder. We are thrilled to celebrate the holiday spirit."

There will also be a fire. Cocktails and food will be available.

Hancock Holiday Nights runs Dec. 2 through Dec.5, Dec. 9 through Dec. 12, and Dec. 16 through 19, and Dec. 27 through Dec. 29. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 6-18, and free for five and under. Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required. (Tickets are not required for children ages 2 and younger). Entrance to the Village is ticketed in 15-minute increments between 5 and 8PM. Tickets can be purchased here.

Those who wish may bring a simple gift of new hats, coats, or mittens to be donated to Berkshire Community Action Council.

Highlights:

Timber Frame of Wishes – The Timber Frame entrance becomes a wonderland of lit trees capturing visitor wishes.
Luminous Wonder – Illuminated projections by artist Joe Wheaton.
Lantern-light Strolls - Experience the charm of Hancock Shaker Village by lantern-light, strolling past candlelit buildings.
Goodnight Barn – Visit with our farm animals tucked into their stalls for the night.
The Mercantile – Shop for Shaker-inspired artisanal gifts and decor.
Festive Fire & Bar – Warm up around our fire pit while you enjoy delicious adult and kid beverages.

Tags: Hancock Shaker Village,

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Berkshire Museum Explores Ancient Egypt With ‘Soulful Creatures’

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
11:33AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following its multimillion-dollar renovation, the Berkshire Museum is welcoming an exhibition unlike any it has been able to host before.

Marking the museum's first major exhibition since its renovation, "Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt," opening Saturday, Oct. 10, thins the veil between the ever-evolving history of Egyptian culture and society and modern day people.

"The most important thing about history is recognizing people from the past as actual people. Ancient Egyptians are no different than us," said William Dore, the museum's chief curator. "They have different cultures and beliefs and different viewpoints, but you can say the same thing about people today."

When audiences experience the exhibit, they will see the humanity in the people of the past, which in turn helps them connect with different views and perspectives around the world today, he said.

Combining archeology with modern scientific imaging, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Museum curators Yekaterina Barbash and Edward Bleiberg designed an exhibit that works to uncover the mysteries behind these objects and the beliefs and rituals that surround them.

"I think something that people kind of misunderstand about history is none of it's ever settled. ... History is a science that is constantly questioned,” Dore said. "It only works if everyone's constantly rethinking things, learning new things ... which is for me super exciting because as much as we know a lot about the ancient Egyptians, there's a lot we don't know.”

The installation features dozens of artifacts on loan from the Brooklyn Museum that explores the practice of animal mummification and the role animals played in ancient Egyptian religion.

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