Construction Begins on Images Cinema's Two-Screen Theater Renovation

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Images Cinema, the Williamstown movie house, has begun work on its long planned Capital Project to renovate and upgrade its facility.

While its Main Theater is closed for renovations, programming continues in its Lounge space with Bartender hours and Cinema Lounge shows and continuing community events.

"We're very excited to begin work on this important project," said Images Board Chair Kevin O'Rourke. "Images is, and has been for years, an anchor of Spring Street and the Williamstown business community. The overwhelming support of the community, including our members, has been incredible." 

So far, the LOOK FORWARD Campaign has raised over $2.4 million dollars from individuals, state and local government, corporations, foundations and local community leaders — enough to start the initial work on the project. Fundraising will continue during construction as the institution aims to meet increased costs and assure successful completion of this project. This renovation project will address Images' responsibility as the only movie theater in the Northern Berkshires and ensure it's long-term success. More details about the Capital Campaign and the renovation can be found at imagescinema.org/look-forward.

Moresi & Associates Development Company is taking the lead on this project, with demolition and renovation of the Main Theater space begun earlier this month. Work will continue through the winter with a projected opening in March. The goal is to create two smaller screening spaces: a 70-seat theater and a second 19-seat theater, allowing for simultaneous screenings and increased opportunities to better serve Images' diverse audience. In addition to the new screening rooms, upgraded and enhanced seating, projectors, audio and acoustics are part of this renovation. Audio/Visual installation will be designed and completed by Boston Light & Sound, and the theater plans were designed by Pittsfield's Hill Engineers in collaboration with theater consultants Charcoal Blue.

The Images Renovation and Construction Taskforce is composed of senior leadership from Images Cinema, including staff, the Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board. Members of this taskforce bring design and construction experience, including from local theater projects, such as the Clark Art Institute and the Adams Theater. The Taskforce is chaired by Matthew Brogan, who before moving to the Berkshires as a full-time resident and as the co-proprietor of the Berkshire Cider Project, worked full-time in theatrical design for major projects throughout the country with Fisher Dachs Associates. This Taskforce has sourced and will oversee the work of all contractors and consultants performing the planning and production of this project.

Williamstown Recognizes Local Farmer, Library Director at Town Meeting

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
09:35AM / Thursday, May 21, 2026

Win Chenail has had a farm stand at his Luce Road dairy farm since 1965. The Chenails have been farming in Williamstown since 1916. Right, Select Board Chair Stephanie Boyd thanks board members whose terms were up this year. 

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — For more than 60 years, Winthrop F. Chenail has been selling his bountiful crops to residents of Williamstown and beyond. 

 

"The family dairy farm at the top of Luce Road has been an anchor farm in our community since 1916," said Elisabeth Goodman. "His farm stand has been operating since 1965 and that's where we get our sweet corn, homegrown tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, summer squash flowers, and pumpkins that he and his grandson Nick Chenail grow as a side business to the family dairy farm."

 

Win Chenail's integrity, excellence, and dedication of service to the citizens of Williamstown was recognized at the annual town meeting on Tuesday with the 11th annual Scarborough Solomon Flint Community Service Award.

 

"At age 90, Win has not slowed down much," Goodman said. "I never did get to speak to him on the phone when notifying him about this award, as his wife told me he was busy in the greenhouse repotting 2,000 tomato plants."

 

Five generations have worked the Mount Williams Dairy Farm that Chenail's grandparents purchased, and Chenail's also been a caretaker of 130 acres of town land at the Spruces and Burbank properties. 

 

"The Chenail family has been managing the land since the 1950s keeping the fields green, lush, and productive with sustainable management practices," she said. "They fertilize it with manure from the dairy farm and lime as needed. With such careful, long-term stewardship of the soil, the land has continued to be fertile and productive for half a century under his fare."

 

Chenail thanked his family and fellow farmers for contributing to the welfare of the community and said it had been a privilege to keep the town-owned fields in farming.