Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 11. Now an annual holiday to celebrate maternal bonds, it was started Anna Maria Jarvis of West Virginia in honor of her own mother, Anna Reeves Jarvis, a social activist who found her calling in Mothers Day Work Clubs. The clubs sought to educate people about sanitation to reduce child mortality and also provided care to soldiers of both sides during the Civil War, later focusing on reconciliation.
Around the same time, Julia Ward Howe, author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic, also called for a "Mother's Day of Peace" and later issued a proclamation of motherhood and peace celebrated until the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Anna Maria Jarvis sought to fulfill her mother's wish for a recognition day and campaigned for a national holiday. The first Mother's Day was held in 1908 in her hometown of Grafton following her mother's death. Within three years, it was being celebrated across the nation. President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
Here are some suggestions for where you can spend time celebrating Mom this weekend. Note that not all events are on Sunday.
Mother's Day Tea
Ventfort Hall, Lenox
Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.
The Gilded Age mansion and museum serves tea in its elegant dining room with an assortment of savories and pastries. The proceeds fund the mission of restoring the mansion.
Enjoy a picnic style lunch by Once Upon A Table, specialty cocktails and mocktails, a flower arranging session with a bouquet and vase to take home, and a sauna and cold plunge experience.
Tickets are $99 per person, plus fee, and can be purchased here.
Mothers Day Brunch
Door Prize Restaurant, North Adams
Sunday, 10 to 2
This brunch is a preview of the new eatery in Hotel Downstreet on Main Street. Enjoy ordered entrees and a hot and cold buffet with the restaurant's signature potato pierogies.
Tickets are $35, $15 for children ages 4 to 12 and can be purchased here.
Afternoon Tea
The Tea and Boba Lounge, Williamstown
Sunday, 3 p.m.
The tea room on Spring Street is selling out fast for Mother's Day; some seats are left for 3 p.m.
Cost is $35 per person; reserve seats by calling 413-884-6006.
Plants for Mother's Day
The Plant Connector, North Adams & Pittsfield
Sunday, 11 to 3
You and mom can create succulent arrangements or flowering terrariums, while sipping a bubbly beverage and snacking on scones. Held at both shops — Main Street in North Adams and West Street in Pittsfield. Do one, do both.
Enjoy a walk in nature at the state park, starting at the Visitors Center on Rockwell Road. Dress appropriately, bring water and a snack. Inclement weather cancels.
This nature walk is free and open to the public but participants are asked to register by calling 413- 499-4262.
Clark Art Institute
South Street, Williamstown
Sunday, 1 to 3
The Clark is hosting two free events for free this Mother's Day. Try your hand at button-making as you explore personal, family, and community values expressed through the art of the button. At 2 p.m., take part in an interactive engagement in the permanent collection galleries focused on expanding ideas about representation of care, provision, protection, and more.
The Manton Study Center for Works on Paper also has a specially curated selection of prints, drawings, and photographs depicting the many facets of motherhood.
All special activities are free. The educator-led tour is free with gallery admission. Tour capacity is limited; participants may join on a first-come, first-served basis. More information here.
Daffodil & Tulip Festival
Naumkeag, Stockbridge
Through Sunday
Take a stroll through the thousands of tulips and daffodils in Mabel Choate's gardens at the Naumkeag estate before the annual festival ends on Sunday.
Tickets are $25, $15 for children and can be purchased here.
Family Community Picnic
Dewey Hall, Sheffield
Saturday, 4 to 7
Grab picnic blankets and gather in community at Dewey Hall to hang out with kid-friendly live entertainment and activities including flowers and a craft. Bring your own food and drinks, or let Roberto's Pizza handle the cooking.
Add a mini flower bouquet from local florist Pryjma Petals for $10 (order in advance) and a large cheese pizza and salad from Roberto's for $25 (or order directly.)
Tickets are $20 per family in advance or $30 at the door. Contact the host Melanie Willins at 339-223-0959 or melaniepoppinsconsulting@gmail.com.
Flower Arrangements
Berkshire Food Co-Op, Great Barrington
Saturday, 12:30 to 2
Berkshire Food Co-Op is hosting a flower-arranging workshop with Ron Reinken of Vine Gate Lavender Floral Farm. Have a cup of tea while you and your mom create arrangements together.
Cost is $35, plus fees, per pair and includes all materials including the vase. Tickets can be purchased here.
As Mother's Day approaches, these events and destinations across Berkshire County offer something for everyone — whether you're looking to treat mom to a relaxing afternoon, a delicious meal, or a meaningful experience. Be sure to check event details, make reservations where needed, and celebrate the day in a way that makes her feel truly special.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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