Berkshire County Historic Buildings Receive Preservation Grant Funding

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two historic preservation projects in Berkshire County have been awarded matching grants through a program administered by Preservation Massachusetts in partnership with The 1772 Foundation. 
 
The grants, totaling a portion of the $125,000 awarded statewide, will support exterior work on significant historic buildings in the region.
 
The Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield will receive funding for work on the Old Central Fire Station. Additionally, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington has also been selected as a grant recipient.
 
15 grants have been awarded in total throughout the state.
 
Jessica Rudden-Dube, President and Executive Director of Preservation Massachusetts, noted the strong demand for preservation funding across the Commonwealth, with over $600,000 requested in the initial inquiry phase. She emphasized the importance of supporting historic resources to ensure the continuation of the stories embedded within Massachusetts' built environment.
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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.
 
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