Bidwell House to Present Three-Part Lecture on Gravestones

MONTEREY, Mass. — The Bidwell House Museum will present three-part lecture and walk series about gravestone making in 18th and 19th century western Massachusetts on Sept. 24 and on Oct. 1 and 8

All three talks will be held at 1 p.m. the Bidwell House Museum and live streamed via Zoom. For the last two talks, attendees have the option to purchase a ticket for just the talk or the talk and cemetery walk together.

First, on Sept. 24, former Director of the New Haven Museum and Connecticut Landmarks, William Hosley, will present "Reflections on the Marble Corridor" about the stone cutting industry along the Taconic Ridge (today’s Rte 7) that was a hive of activity in the 18th and 19th century. 

Then on Oct. 1, local author John Hanson will present his talk "A Field Guide to New England Gravestones" where he will show you how to read and interpret the iconography of early gravestones. His talk will be followed by a walk at the Old Center Cemetery in New Marlborough.

Finally, on Oct.  8, historical archaeologist, Bob Drinkwater, will present his talk "That the Dead be not Forgotten" where he will share material from his book, In Memory of Susan Freedom: Searching for Gravestones of African Americans in Western Massachusetts. His talk will also be followed by a cemetery walk in Monterey.

Due to limited seating, tickets must be purchased in advance on the Museum website, https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/events/. All Zoom participants will receive a link to access the lecture a couple of days in advance. 

Great Barrington Fire, Police Respond to Chimney Fire

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
02:48PM / Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Fire Chief Scott Turner called for mutual aid as soon as he saw flames. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Firefighters made quick work of a chimney fire on Tuesday afternoon and two police officers aided the occupant in escaping the building. 

 

Fire Chief Scott Turner said the blaze at 205 North St. was reported about 12:38 p.m.

 

"When I arrived on scene, we had a small amount of flames coming out of the eaves of the roof over by the chimney for the wood stove, and then we had light smoke conditions on the second floor," he said. 

 

Police Officers Andres Huertas and Elias Casey were first on the scene and immediately entered the single-family home to find the occupant was on the second floor. 

 

They helped her out of the building, Turner said, "they did a great job."

 

The chimney is a metal chimney and burn marks could been seen where it meets the eaves on the side of the building. 

 

North Street is a narrow residential way and firetrucks from Alford, Egremont, Monterey, Richmond, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge were parked along nearby streets. Scene support was provided by police, Southern Berkshire Ambulance, and National Grid.