The African American Heritage Trail has 48 sites in 29 Massachusetts and Connecticut towns that showcase the history and context of African Americans who played crucial roles in the region, United States, and world.
"You will experience the impact and contributions of ordinary, humble people of achievement, and you will meet others who emerged as leaders and activists of their times," the Housatonic Heritage website says.
Other Berkshire County locations featured on the trail include the W.E.B. Du Bois Boyhood Homesite, Samuel Harrison House, and more.
Once the Clinton Church Restoration Project is complete the W.E.B. Du Bois Freedom Center will also be included in the trail. More information on the project here.
Since the Fitch-Hoose House is one of the museums on the trail, Historical Commission members want to pique visitors' interest in the other locations on the trail.
It is clear that the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage African American Heritage Trail flyers aid in this effort, so commission co-Chair Deborah Kovacs requested they send the museum some.
Someone who was traveling Berkshire County visited the Fitch-Hoose House from New Jersey after discovering it in one of the trail brochures, Kovacs said.
Although Kovacs knew of the existence of these brochures, she didn't know she was allowed to request some until the guidance of two other visitors — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts professor Frances Jones-Sneed and Empire State University professor Mary Nell Morgan-Brown.
The duo informed Kovacs that she could reach out to the trail's Executive Director Dan Bolognani to request copies.
Kovacs presented them during the meeting on Wednesday. She was especially excited to see the Fitch-Hoose House prominently displayed on one of the brochure's pages.
Not only did Bolognani send trail brochures, he also offered to help the commission update the Fitch-Hoose House brochure so it is more detailed and in the same style as the Heritage Trail brochure.
The 177-year-old two-story house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is believed to have been active on the Underground Railroad.
"I'm glad that the Fitch-Hoose House is getting the attention that it deserves … it's likely that we can support the creation of a Fitch-Hoose House brochure, perhaps designed similarly to the African American Heritage Trail series of brochures, if that's a consideration or goal," Bolognani said in the email to Kovacs.
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Springside Rehabilitation Awarded Grant
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Springside Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center recieved a $234,500 workforce development grant.
The grant will provide Springside Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center with funds to provide training and placement services to prepare 40 un/underemployed participants for CNA positions.
They will partner with Craneville Place Skilled Nursing Home & Rehabilitation and Springside Skilled Nursing Home and Rehabilitation.
The grant is part of $4.2 million in workforce development grant funding for nine initiatives across Massachusetts, representing partnerships with employers, training providers, and regional collaborators to train, upskill, and provide job placement for 621 workers for in-demand occupations in health care, life sciences, technology, construction, and more. As part of the awards, $250,000 will support planning grants for training providers.
"These Workforce Success Grants are designed to improve access to good-paying jobs and long-term career success for all Massachusetts residents," said Governor Maura Healey. "By investing in the skill development for underemployed and unemployed jobseekers, we are unlocking their potential, meeting the needs of employers, and strengthening the competitiveness of our workforce and regional economies."
In addition to the $4 million investment in the Workforce Success Grants, Commonwealth Corporation also awarded approximately $250,000 in total to six partnerships to fund planning and program design activities that may lead to the future implementation of workforce development job training and employment opportunities.
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On Friday, the college community cut the ribbon on its new, accessible quad. It honors Madeline Snide, a 1978 graduate and the first paraplegic to enroll at the BCC who is credited for inspiring change on campus.
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The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized Becket Washington Elementary School as one of its 2024 schools of recognition. click for more