780 Holmes Rd., (413) 442-1793, www.mobydick.org, Arrowhead was the home of Herman Melville from 1850-1862. He was the famous American author who wrote Moby Dick. The restored home is open daily in the summer and in winter by appointment. Special events take place throughout the year.
Berkshire Athenaeum
1 Wendell Ave., (413) 499-9480, www.berkshire.net/Pittsfield Library. Ronald Latham, director. The Library's children's department - (413) 499-9483 - offers many activities throughout the year. Other features include a local history and genealogy department, (413) 499-9486: reading rooms, books on tape, recorded music, a repository of public documents relating to the cleanup of the Housatonic River and other projects that involve public comment, as well as computer terminals and microfilm. Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum provide support through an annual book sale and special events. There are more than 150,000 books in the collection. Open Monday through Thursday 9 - 9, Friday 9 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 5. Hours may change throughout the year.
Berkshire County Historical Society
Arrowhead, 780 Holmes Rd., (413) 442-1793. Formed to collect, preserve and present the history of Berkshire County and to preserve and restore Arrowhead, the farmhouse in which Herman Melville completed Moby Dick and other works between 1850 and 1863. The Society is based at Arrowhead, a national landmark listed on the National
Berkshire Jewish Film Festival
Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Rd., (413) 445-4872, www.knessetisrael.org. Nineteenth season of American and International Jewish films. Monday evenings during July and August at 7:30 p.m. Advance reservations are accepted.
Berkshire Law Library
Superior Court House, 76 East St., (413) 442-5059. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. www.lawlib.state.ma.us.
Berkshire Museum
39 South St., (413) 443-7171, www.berkshiremuseum.org. The museum was a gift from Zenas Crane of Dalton and originally called the Berkshire Museum of Natural History and Art. This combination has resulted in a wide-ranging collection displayed in 18 galleries. Dioramas depicting animal life, specimens of local and foreign flora and fauna, sea life, an Egyptian mummy and rocks that glow in the dark are favorites for visiting families.
Museum hours: Monday through Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sundays 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on certain holidays. Admission varies but is free to members. There are special rates for groups and guides are available.
Berkshire Museum's Little Cinema
39 South St., (413) 443-7171. Screens the finest U.S. and foreign films. Shown nightly from May - September at 8:00 p.m., Monday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Berkshire Artisans Lichtenstein Center For The Arts
28 Renne Ave., (413) 499-9348. www.berkshireweb.com/artisans. The Berkshire Artisans is housed in the Lichenstein Center for the Arts, a small brick building offering gallery and studio space and dedicated to supporting the arts in many forms. Shows, classes and exhibitions are held through the year. Artists may rent workspaces.
Hancock Shaker Village
Route 20, just west of the junctions of Routes 20 & 41. (413) 443-0188, www.hancockshakervillege.org. A 200 year old restored Shaker site and working farm. Open year round, the Village presents changing exhibitions, programs, tours and talks as well as hands-on activities and in-character portrayals that explore Shaker life. A diversity of seasonal special events, workshops, and school programs are offered.
Park Square Historic District
Downtown Pittsfield, Historic buildings, Civil War Memorial, Holocaust Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, numerous commemorative painted murals, Historic Walking tour, maps and other tourist brochures available at the Pittsfield Visitor's Center, 121 South St., (413) 395-0105.
Pittsfield Visitor's Center
The Colonial Theatre Annex, 111A South St., (413) 443-9186 ext.323 or 324. www.berkshires.org or www.culturalpittsfield.com. General area tourism information. Open daily from Memorial Day through October from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From November to Memorial Day the Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
Silvia O. Conte National Records Center
10 Conte Dr., (413) 236-3600. Housing the National Archives and Records Administration, Pittsfield Regional Archives and Pittsfield Federal Record Center. Major genealogy collection. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Storefront Artist Project
124 Fenn St. (413) 442-7201. Organization to help place working artists in vacant storefronts in downtown Pittsfield. An innovative collaboration between artists, local landlords, and the public. Group sponsors events in the downtown area.
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