The Berkshire Museum will be closed three months for renovations.
PITTSFIELD – The city's downtown arts center will be the home away from home for the Berkshire Museum over the next few months.
The museum will close Tuesday, Jan. 1, to begin Phase II of its $9 million renovation project. Some of its exhibits and activities will be featured at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts through March.
The 104-year-old museum is installing a high-tech, climate-control system. The project also will include classroom space, an addition for offices, improved handicapped access, including an elevator, renovation of the first-floor galleries and a new gallery, named the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation in honor of Donald and Armand Feigenbaum, who own General Systems Co. The brothers have pledged $1.2 million to the museum's capital fund drive. The hall will exhibit Berkshire inventions that have influenced the nation.
The 3,000-square-foot hall is scheduled to open March 29.
The museum has already restored the South Street building's roof and moved its gift shop into the former Cottage shop on the corner of Bank Row. The gift shop will remain open.
"We are thrilled to be at this stage in the renovation, eagerly anticipating the reopening and the premiere of the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation," said Stuart A. Chase, the museum's executive director. "We thank everyone who has donated to the capital campaign, 'A Wider Window,' and hope that others will be inspired to give to help us secure the half-million-dollar Kresge Challenge Grant. In the meantime, we hope our members and others in the community will enjoy the programs we are able to offer nearby and are happy to be working with such great organizations as the Lichtenstein Center, the YMCA, Berkshire Community College, and the Berkshire Theatre Festival."
Programs Moved
The Lichtenstein Center, at 28 Renne Ave., will host an exhibition devoted to the Mohican people and the preschooler program "Aquarium Adventures" at 10 a.m. on Fridays from Jan. 4 to March 28. The program includes toddler playtime and a story, followed by a live animal encounter. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, and $3 children 3-18. Museum members and children under 3 are admitted free. A schedule of animals for each week is available at www.berkshiremuseum.org.
From Jan. 19 through March 8, "Berkshires' First People: The Mohicans," modeled after the museum's Mohican Room, invites visitors to discover how clothing, hunting tools, and games tell the story of daily life of the Mohicans. Visitors may try on clothing, examine animal furs, and play games and native instruments. The exhibition will also include artwork made by first-graders from Silvio O. Conte Community School, inspired by the "Sky Woman" creation myth of the Iroquois.
The hands-on art course "Looking for Red in All the Right Places" on Saturdays, Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9, from 10 to noon will be led by artist and museum educator Melanie Mowinski. The course, for children ages 7 to 10, will explore how artists use the color red as they create painting, drawings and sculpture. Registration for the four-part course is $60 ($40 members). To register, call 413-443-7171, Ext. 10.
On Monday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m., museum will offer its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, "I Have a Dream," at the center. The program includes readings from King's famous speech, a performance by Youth Alive, and soul food. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children 3-18. Museum members and children under 3 are admitted free.
On Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m., the new Little Cinema series "Film Feasts" will feature food-related films, discussions with food experts and dinner a Pittsield restaurant. Flims will be shown in the Koussevitzy Hall, K-111, at Berkshire Community College.
The Feb. 3 film is "Big Night." Guest speaker will be Francine Segan, author of "Movie Menus." Since the film takes place in an Italian restaurant, dinner will be at Trattoria Rustica. Admission to the film and lecture is $15 ($10 members). Dinner price is based on entree ordered. Film Feasts are made possible in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Endowment for the Humanities.
In partnership with BTF PLAYS! the year-round educational program of the Berkshire Theatre Festival, the museum will present the family performance "Aesop's Network: Broadcasting Theatrical Fables" at the YMCA auditorium, 292 North St.
Performances will be daily at 11 a.m. from Monday, Feb. 18, through Saturday, Feb. 23. The play retells Aesop's fables, such as "The Tortoise and the Hare," in the style of a sports highlights show. Tickets are $10 adults, $7 children 3-18 ($5/$3 members).
The climate control system being installed will bring the facility to current museum standards for temperature and humidity control. The HVAC will be operational when the museum reopens. In April, the museum will unveil new installations of its permanent collection, including a new American Indian gallery featuring art and artifacts from the extensive collection that has not been on public view in many years because of the lack of climate control.
For more information, contact the Berkshire Museum at (413) 443-7171, Ext. 10, or visit berkshiremuseum.org.
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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles.
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours.
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles.
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On Tuesday, the School Building Needs Commission heard an update from the owner's project manager, Skanska, and endorsed a draft schedule that runs from 2026 to 2032.
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Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
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As the school year winds down, the sun was shining high as Morris Elementary School and the community celebrated student success with a splash. click for more
The Berkshire Community College community celebrated outgoing President Ellen Kennedy for the innovation, kindness, and curiosity she has fostered on campus over the last 14 years. click for more
