What a Glorious Crash They Made: Musick of New England's Revolution

01:55PM / Thursday, July 02, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On July 8 at 5:30 pm the Berkshire County Historical Society welcomes to Arrowhead tenor and harpsichordist Richard Franklin Donohue performing a collection of "New Songs" and hymns published in New England during the American Revolution.

Donohue will share his original research and explore this fiery repertoire that, in the words of John Adams, "cultivated the sensations of Freedom." The program spans the Revolutionary War years with selections like John Dickenson's Liberty Song, William Billings' Chester, Thomas Paine's Liberty Tree, and several popular British tunes with “new” texts reflecting the cause of freedom. Tickets are $15 for BCHS members, $20 for non-members and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org. This event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and Housatonic Heritage.

About Richard Franklin Donohue

Richard Franklin Donohue is a singer, private music instructor, and historian. Vocally, he is a tenor who specializes in historic music ranging from Middle English Carols to 19th century romantic music. He has been teaching Piano, Voice, and Music Theory since 1992. Richard is the Town Historian of his hometown of Cromwell, Connecticut and has been the President and Program Director of the Cromwell Historical Society twenty years. He is the author of "Rosetown Review," a monthly history article published in the Cromwell Life newspaper and presents historical lectures throughout New England on various topics.

The Berkshire County Historical Society is a non-profit corporation dedicated to collecting, preserving, and disseminating the history of Berkshire County in western Massachusetts. In addition, the Berkshire County Historical Society is committed to the preservation and interpretation of Arrowhead, home of author Herman Melville, designated a National Historic Landmark. The Berkshire County Historical Society provides tours of Arrowhead, and programming dedicated to the history of western Massachusetts and the life and writings of Herman Melville. For information on visiting, go to berkshirehistory.org. The Berkshire County Historical Society is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

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Second Streets Second Chances Awarded $85K for Workforce Re-Entry Program

By Brittany Polito03:00PM / Monday, September 28, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local program for formerly incarcerated citizens seeking a technical career received $85,000 from the state.

On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $2.25 million in Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants to 12 organizations that will provide job training, career support, and employment opportunities to 445 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities.

Second Street Second Chances was allocated $84,712 to partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 12 returning citizens with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry.

The funds will be used to put 12 returning citizens through a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in manufacturing and welding roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Hi-Tech Mold and Tool.

The program was one of 12 awardees, a majority on the eastern side of the state; Greenfield also saw funding.

"When people return to their communities, they should have a real opportunity to get a good job, support their families and build a stable future," said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release.

"These grants connect people with the training and experience they need to succeed and with employers that are ready to hire."

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said successful reentry means making sure people have the tools and opportunities to move forward, and these programs bring together community organizations, public safety partners, and employers to connect people directly with training and jobs.

Launched in 2022, Second Street Second Chances' mission is to provide a central point of access for medical and mental health, housing, job training, legal services, and more for a successful reentry into the community.

Early this year, the nonprofit saw an $89,000 grant from the program. Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell at the time said this funding allowed 2nd Street to expand its mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities and a pathway toward sustainable employment.

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