Hancock Shaker Village Celebrates Shaker Design on Stamps

08:00AM / Wednesday, June 12, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. Hancock Shaker Village announced it has been selected as the host site for the launch of a special line of commemorative Shaker Design stamps on June 20, 2024.

The U.S. Postal Service will issue Shaker Design stamps to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Shakers in America. The set of 12 stamps celebrates the beauty of Shaker design and features photographs of items that highlight its core elements: simplicity and utility, said a press release.

"It’s an honor to be selected by USPS as the host site for the Shaker Design stamp launch," said Carrie Holland, director and CEO of Hancock Shaker Village. "These stamps pay tribute to the unique nature of Shaker design and its place in

Americana, and we invite the whole community to celebrate this special day for the Pittsfield and the Shaker community with free admission to the Village on June 20."

The stamps feature images taken at Hancock Shaker Village and other historic Shaker sites across the United States.

In conjunction with the USPS First Day of Issue celebrations, Hancock Shaker Village will host a variety of activities throughout the Village featuring programs for all ages including: postcard-making crafts, a stamp scavenger hunt, a pop-up

bar with specialty beverages, lectures, tours, special exhibits, and other farm

activities.

The 12 stamps will be on display in the Round Stone Barn along with a pop-up shop where the stamps will be available for sale from 11am to 4pm on June 20.

Tags: Hancock Shaker Village,

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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