Organ Master Series Features Roosevelt Organ

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Berkshire Bach Society continues its Organ Masters series with a performance by renowned organist Peter Sykes on Saturday, April 5, at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church.

The recital will feature the 1883 Roosevelt Organ, a masterpiece of American organ history.

The program will include a selection of works by Bach and other composers, highlighting the power and expressiveness of the Roosevelt Organ, the largest instrument built by the innovative organ builder Hilborne Roosevelt. Installed in 1883, this organ remains one of the most significant surviving examples of Roosevelt’s work, showcasing his groundbreaking use of electricity in organ mechanics.

Tickets for the concert are priced at $45 for nonmembers, $40 for Berkshire Bach members, and $10 with a Card to Culture. Children and students with valid ID are admitted free. For further details, including tickets and venue information, visit www.berkshirebach.org/events.

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.