image description
Dalton's Fitch-Hoose House is included in the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage African American Heritage Trail brochure.

Fitch-Hoose House Gets African American Heritage Trail Brochures

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
DALTON, Mass. — Fitch-Hoose House now has brochures for the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage African American Heritage Trail.
 
The African American Heritage Trail has 48 sites in 29 Massachusetts and Connecticut towns that showcase the history and context of African Americans who played crucial roles in the region, United States, and world. 
 
"You will experience the impact and contributions of ordinary, humble people of achievement, and you will meet others who emerged as leaders and activists of their times," the Housatonic Heritage website says.
 
Other Berkshire County locations featured on the trail include the W.E.B. Du Bois Boyhood Homesite, Samuel Harrison House, and more.  
 
Once the Clinton Church Restoration Project is complete the W.E.B. Du Bois Freedom Center will also be included in the trail. More information on the project here
 
Since the Fitch-Hoose House is one of the museums on the trail, Historical Commission members want to pique visitors' interest in the other locations on the trail. 
 
It is clear that the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage African American Heritage Trail flyers aid in this effort, so commission co-Chair Deborah Kovacs requested they send the museum some.
 
Someone who was traveling Berkshire County visited the Fitch-Hoose House from New Jersey after discovering it in one of the trail brochures, Kovacs said. 
 
Although Kovacs knew of the existence of these brochures, she didn't know she was allowed to request some until the guidance of two other visitors — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts professor Frances Jones-Sneed and Empire State University professor Mary Nell Morgan-Brown. 
 
The duo informed Kovacs that she could reach out to the trail's Executive Director Dan Bolognani to request copies. 
 
Kovacs presented them during the meeting on Wednesday. She was especially excited to see the Fitch-Hoose House prominently displayed on one of the brochure's pages. 
 
Not only did Bolognani send trail brochures, he also offered to help the commission update the Fitch-Hoose House brochure so it is more detailed and in the same style as the Heritage Trail brochure. 
 
The 177-year-old two-story house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is believed to have been active on the Underground Railroad.
 
"I'm glad that the Fitch-Hoose House is getting the attention that it deserves … it's likely that we can support the creation of a Fitch-Hoose House brochure, perhaps designed similarly to the African American Heritage Trail series of brochures, if that's a consideration or goal," Bolognani said in the email to Kovacs. 
 
More information on the Fitch-Hoose House here

Tags: historic sites,   historical commission,   local history,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories