Samuel Harrison Society Announces New Additions Board, Summer Hours

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Samuel Harrison Society has welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees: Dee Piper Johnson, Dawn Morin, and Aretha Whitehead.
 
"We are pleased to welcome these new trustees. Their addition reflects the Society's ongoing efforts to preserve and promote awareness of the remarkable history and significance of the life of Rev. Samuel Harrison," said Marlena Willis, board president.
 
With summer now underway, the Samuel Harrison House Museum, located at 82 Third St. in Pittsfield, is open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays now through Sept. 13. Tours are also available by appointment.
 
The house was the home of Rev. Harrison, a prominent African American minister, abolitionist, and Civil War chaplain of the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The Society maintains the homestead as a museum and center for learning about Harrison's life, writings, and contributions while promoting a deeper understanding of African American history.
 
Museum visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase the Society's newest publication, "The Autobiographies and Sermons of the Reverend Samuel Harrison, 1818–1900," available for $39.95. The book may also be purchased online through the Society's website.
 
In addition to ongoing museum programming, Society volunteers are available to present talks to local organizations and community groups on the life, ministry, and enduring legacy of Rev. Harrison.
 
For more information, visit www.samuelharrison.org or call 413-841-6383.
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15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive. 

On Friday evening, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle to extinguish and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Drive in about an hour. 

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.  

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children.  The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings. (iBerkshires.com does not confirm or endorse fundraisers; they are provided as information only.)

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation.  One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue. 

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 1/2-story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out. 

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release. 

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