Lenox Library Celebrates Significant Historic Document

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LENOX, Mass. — The Lenox Library announced a special event to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Lenox Non-Importation Agreement. 
 
This historic document, signed by 111 Lenox residents in 1774, marked a moment in America's path to independence. The celebration will take place on July 13th, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Sedgwick Reading Room at the Library.
 
According to a press release, seven years after its incorporation, the Town of Lenox sent six delegates to a Berkshire Congress held in Stockbridge. On July 14, 1774, the delegates brought back to Lenox a covenant in which they promised to neither sell, consume, or import goods from Great Britain. By signing the agreement, each man declared himself to be one step closer to independence from the Crown.
 
Lenox was making good on its earlier promise to support Boston from its "remote wilderness Corner of the Earth," written by the local Committee of Correspondence. The committee was formed in early 1773, after receiving a copy of the Boston Pamphlet, crafted by Samuel Adams as its primary author, which established the need for such local committees to communicate when colonists rights were infringed, continued a press release.
 
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of its creation, Local History Librarian Amy Lafave will share the history of this agreement and its signers, from the first stirrings of dissent to the aftermath of revolt. The document will be presented for viewing, newly conserved with funding from the Town of Lenox's Community Preservation Fund. It has been handsomely framed, courtesy of a grant to the Lenox Library Association by Adams Community Bank.
 
Following the unveiling presentation, an outdoor Samuel Adams Brewery beer tasting event will be held in the Library's Roche Reading Park from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event honors Samuel Adams, a Founding Father and revolutionary, who also left a legacy in brewing. His family's Boston brewing business has inspired the modern Samuel Adams Brewery, founded in 1984.
 
This celebration will feature live music, balloon art, face painting, and photo opportunities with a live portrayal of Samuel Adams. Refreshments will be provided by Olde Heritage Tavern and the Lenox Fire Department for purchase. Four varieties of Sam Adams beers, including a non-alcoholic option and commemorative glasses will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Lenox Library Association.
 
The presentation and celebration are a collaborative effort with Adams Community Bank (ACB), whose Lenox branch is in the historic home of Major General John Paterson, a signer of the Non-Importation Agreement. ACB's President and CEO, Charlie O'Brien, and Boston Beer Company's Business Development Manager, Nick D'Angelo, will join State Representative Smitty Pignatelli in delivering welcoming remarks.
 

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A Thousand Flock to Designer Showcase Fundraiser at Cassilis Farm

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

NEW MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — More than a thousand visitors toured the decked-out halls of Cassilis Farm last month in support of the affordable housing development.

Construct Inc. held its first Designer Showcase exhibition in the Gilded Age estate throughout June, showcasing over a dozen creatives' work through temporary room transformations themed to "Nature in the Berkshires."  The event supported the nonprofit's effort to convert the property into 11 affordable housing units.

"Part of our real interest in doing this is it really gives folks a chance to have a different picture of what affordable housing can be," Construct's Executive Director Jane Ralph said.

"The stereotypes we all have in our minds are not what it ever really is and this is clearly something very different so it's a great opportunity to restore a house that means so much to so many in this community, and many of those folks have come, for another purpose that's really somewhat in line with some of the things it's been used for in the past."

"It can be done, and done well," Project Manager Nichole Dupont commented.  She was repeatedly told that this was the highlight of the Berkshire summer and said that involved so many people from so many different sectors.

"The designers were exceptional to work with. They fully embraced the theme "Nature in the Berkshires" and brought their creative vision and so much hard work to the showhouse. As the rooms began to take shape in early April, I was floored by the detail, research, and vendor engagement that each brought to the table. The same can be said for the landscape artists and the local artists who displayed their work in the gallery space," she reported.  

"Everyone's feedback throughout the process was invaluable, and they shared resources and elbow grease to put it together beautifully."

More than 100 volunteers helped the showcase come to fruition, and "the whole while, through the cold weather, the seemingly endless pivots, they never lost sight of what the showhouse was about and that Cassilis Farm would eventually be home to Berkshire workers and families."

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