Housatonic Heritage explores the past, present and future in the Berkshires, in open spaces and downtowns, at historic sites and along trails. Walks set out from many places between Pittsfield and Northwest Connecticut, weaving together many times and places, people and lived experiences, and all of them are free. They will continue on Sunday and on weekends through September.
Hamlin Preserve hike to Red Mountain, Sharon, Conn. — 10 a.m.
Join Tim Hunter, from the Sharon Land Trust, for a moderate walk along the forest edge to the beautiful upper reaches of Red Mountain. The Hamlin Preserve, protected in 2002, is part of the Red Mountain Trail System, which connects Hamlin Preserve to the Mary Moore Preserve via the Wike Connector Trail. This walk will traverse along ledges and rock outcrops, over streams, and beside vernal pools.
The walk will cover about 2 hours and 2.5 miles – to save your space, write to maria@sharonlandtrust.org. Meet at the trailhead, at 19 Stonehouse Road, Sharon. Stone House Road intersects with Route 41 (Gay Street) approximately 3 miles north of the Town of Sharon.
Washington — Secrets of Muddy Pond 10 a.m.
Dave Pierce from the Chester Railway Station Museum offers this hike to Muddy Pond on the watershed divide of the Berkshires. You will learn of it’s interesting history, as this area presented unique challenges to James Whistler’s father as he engineered the world’s first mountain railroad up and over the Berkshire plateau.
Hinsdale, Mass., is the highest point between Boston and Chicago along the rail line. This area is wonderfully scenic, has abundant wildlife and has an amazing history. Learn why this 5-acre Housatonic River headwaters has earned the title of “most deceptive body of water in Massachusetts” and the challenges it posed to the first railroad builders over the Berkshires Plateau.
This is a level walk on the traprock on the side of the railroad tracks. A tour of the Chester Railway Station Museum, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2021, can be arranged after the free Heritage Walk, and donations for the Railway Station Museum are welcome. Heavy rain will cancel. The walk will last about 2 hours and cover 4 miles – to save your space, write to dpiercedlp@aol.com.
From the junction of Route 102 and Route 20 in Lee, head 7 miles east on Rt 20 to West Becket, to the junction where Route 8 splits. Turn left onto Route 20 east / Route 8 north for 5 miles, and take a left turn to stay on Route 8 north. Follow it for 10 miles to the Washington Town Hall and take a right turn onto Summit Hill Road. Shortly, you will reach a narrow bridge over the railroad tracks–park along here. Please don’t park along Summit Hill Road past the bridge.
Hike the Waramaug Rock and Boulders at Maricostas Preserve — New Preston, Conn. — 10 a.m.
Take a moderate to hilly hike exploring the Waramaug Rock and Boulders Trail with Brian Hagenbuch, executive director of the Steep Rock Association. This trail meanders through woodlands, glacial erratics, waterfalls, and vernal pools, and will include a short side-loop to Waramaug Rock, with its breathtaking views of Lake Waramaug, the second largest natural lake in Connecticut.
The Boulders Trail was designed and constructed using sustainable building methods that reduce erosion, withstand increased foot traffic, and have minimal long-term maintenance requirements. Meet at Macricostas Preserve, 124 Christian Street, which is off of Litchfield Turnpike/Route 202, New Preston, Conn.The walk will cover about 4 miles in 3 hours. To save your space, visit the https://steeprockassoc.org/events-programs/
Behind-the-scenes tour of Tanglewood — 10:30 a.m.
Take a tour of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood campus, the Koussevitzky Music Shed, Ozawa Hall, and the Linde Center for Music and Learning and earn of the historic background of Tanglewood, the BSO and the Tanglewood Music Center. The tour is a gentle walk, half a mile in an hour and a half. The tour starts at the Tanglewood Main Gate. From Routes 183 and 102 in Stockbridge, follow Route 183 north for 4 miles, or from downtown Lenox follow Route 183 a couple of miles.
Walking tour at Golden Hill Town Forest in Lee — 11 a.m.
Join naturalist Linda Cysz from the Lee Land Trust for a meandering walk through this town forest with huge boulders and colorful fall mushrooms to get a sense of the natural setting and learn some of Lee’s town history.
Golden Hill Town Forest’s 70-acre property was once owned by George Westinghouse as part of his estate known as Erskine Park. His house was in Lenox near Laurel Lake and his farmland extended across the road to the Golden Hill area. In 1939 George Westinghouse, Jr. donated this parcel to the Town of Lee. Here is where you’ll find the highest peaks in Lee, at about 1220’ elevation. The Pinnacle has views to October Mt., Highlawn Farm and Laurel Lake.
This is truly an enchanted geologic world, Cysz says. Easy loop trails guide you through the boulders, ledges, outcrops, wildflowers, mushrooms and old trees. In the early 1960s this was a vibrant picnic spot with pavilion, stone fireplace and even electricity. Today, that area is an open field. The walk will cover about a mile in 1 hour. Heading north on Rt 20 from the center of Lee, after crossing the railroad tracks and the river, drive for 0.8 mile to Golden Hill Road (across from the Retro Pop Shop). Turn right onto Golden Hill Road and drive uphill for 0.3 mile to a parking site on the right side of road.
Walking tour of Historic Lee — 11 a.m.
Tracie Etheredge from the Lee Historical Society will lead a walking tour of Main Street, including learning about the important buildings, people and historical events that occurred in town. Meet at the town picnic gazebo next to the post office on Frank Consolati Way. (The walk will run about 2 hours and 1.5 miles — to save your space, write to ethere@gmail.com)
By the Way Berkshires is a digital magazine exploring creative life and community — art and performance, food and the outdoors — and I’m writing it for you, with local voices, because I’ve gotten to know this rich part of the world as a writer and journalist, and I want to share it with you.
If you’d like to see the website grow, you can join me for a few dollars a month, enough for a cup of coffee and a cider doughnut. Members get access to extra stories and multimedia, itineraries a bookmark tool. Let me know what you're looking for, and we’ll explore together.
A collective of formerly incarcerated women and theater artists are co-creating an original theater piece, working with theater makers through the 2nd Street organization in Pittsfield.
A collective of formerly incarcerated women and theater artists are co-creating an original theater piece, working with theater makers through the 2nd Street organization in Pittsfield.
A collective of formerly incarcerated women and theater artists are co-creating an original theater piece, working with theater makers through the 2nd Street organization in Pittsfield.
Hancock Shaker Village will take a deep dive into the Shaker world! on a Discovery Tour each Wednesday morning, led by experienced Village staff.
Dewey Hall hosts a game night for people of all ages who love playing games to gather with friends and/or join with others that share an interest.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
The West Stockbridge Farmers Market offers fresh produce — fruits and vegetables in season, eggs, meats and cheeses, breads and baked goods, fudge and jams and more.
Before her appearance at the 2023 Brooklyn Book Festival, Finnish illustrator, writer and visual artist Marika Maijala joins Mass MoCA for an artist talk on Rosie Runsand hands-on silkscreen with Gary Lichtenstein.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
Eddie Jaku was a teenager as World War II began, and he survived Buchenwald, Auschwitz and a forced death march — a new play tells his story.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
The Sheffield Farmers Market returns outdoors with some 20 vendors — from pickles, seasonings and garlic, to Naji’s Mediterranean Cuisine, baked fresh wheat-free breads, local meats, honey and maple syrup and more.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
Eddie Jaku was a teenager as World War II began, and he survived Buchenwald, Auschwitz and a forced death march — a new play tells his story.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
Locally roasted coffee, native plants or gently herbed hand cream ... the regular Pittsfield Farmers Market welcomes in farmers and artisans together.
Farmers, food producers, artists and artisans will gather in the expanded parking lot at the end of Spring Street every Saturday through mid-October.
Chocolate peanut butter cookies, fresh flowers, jams and pickles and cheeses ... the North Adams Farmers Market returns weekly with more than a dozen farmers and makers.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
GreylockWorks brings a mini makers market with a rotating array of local artisans, open studios and thoughtful food and drinks from The Break Room.
Eddie Jaku was a teenager as World War II began, and he survived Buchenwald, Auschwitz and a forced death march — a new play tells his story.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
Hancock Shaker Village will take a deep dive into the Shaker world! on a Discovery Tour each Wednesday morning, led by experienced Village staff.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Wharton on Wednesdays returns to the Mount on first Wednesdays — listen to quintessential Edith Wharton short stories brought to life by local actors.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
Eddie Jaku was a teenager as World War II began, and he survived Buchenwald, Auschwitz and a forced death march — a new play tells his story.
The West Stockbridge Farmers Market offers fresh produce — fruits and vegetables in season, eggs, meats and cheeses, breads and baked goods, fudge and jams and more.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
Jackson Whalan hosts a A 100-percent improvised music session with professional musicians, recording artists and surprise guests from The Berkshires and beyond.
Eddie Jaku was a teenager as World War II began, and he survived Buchenwald, Auschwitz and a forced death march — a new play tells his story.
The Sheffield Farmers Market returns outdoors with some 20 vendors — from pickles, seasonings and garlic, to Naji’s Mediterranean Cuisine, baked fresh wheat-free breads, local meats, honey and maple syrup and more.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Artist Kelli Rae Adams invites visitors to sample her freshly baked sourdough breads as she reflects on past work and shares insights into both current and future projects.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
Locally roasted coffee, native plants or gently herbed hand cream ... the regular Pittsfield Farmers Market welcomes in farmers and artisans together.
Farmers, food producers, artists and artisans will gather in the expanded parking lot at the end of Spring Street every Saturday through mid-October.
Chocolate peanut butter cookies, fresh flowers, jams and pickles and cheeses ... the North Adams Farmers Market returns weekly with more than a dozen farmers and makers.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
Eddie Jaku was a teenager as World War II began, and he survived Buchenwald, Auschwitz and a forced death march — a new play tells his story.
GreylockWorks brings a mini makers market with a rotating array of local artisans, open studios and thoughtful food and drinks from The Break Room.
Eddie Jaku was a teenager as World War II began, and he survived Buchenwald, Auschwitz and a forced death march — a new play tells his story.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
Naumkeag's horticulturist will lead a after-hours tour of the gardens while sipping on a glass of wine. Each month will offer a different topic for the garden.
Hancock Shaker Village will take a deep dive into the Shaker world! on a Discovery Tour each Wednesday morning, led by experienced Village staff.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Inspired by the open jams from the formative era of jazz, Band leader Luke Franco and host Brian Kantor will hold a monthly evening of music.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
North Adams Public School students and their families are invited to Family Night at Mass MoCA with after-hours access to select exhibitions in the museum, art-making, food, fun and more.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
Locally roasted coffee, native plants or gently herbed hand cream ... the regular Pittsfield Farmers Market welcomes in farmers and artisans together.
Farmers, food producers, artists and artisans will gather in the expanded parking lot at the end of Spring Street every Saturday through mid-October.
Chocolate peanut butter cookies, fresh flowers, jams and pickles and cheeses ... the North Adams Farmers Market returns weekly with more than a dozen farmers and makers.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
Photographer John Mancia will lead an investigation and hands-on photography workshop that explores Shaker light — the group will experiment with light in their own photography.
In Sanaz Toossi's 2023 Pulitzer prizewinning play, four students meet regularly in a classroom in Iran, preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency exam.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Humbird makes music with deep roots in the midwest heartland and also travels like a bramble, fusing experimental folk and environmental Americana.
Hancock Shaker Village will take a deep dive into the Shaker world! on a Discovery Tour each Wednesday morning, led by experienced Village staff.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Dewey Hall and Michael Lesko are partnering to revive a monthly open-mic-meets-variety show with an open creative soirée and a talented headlining act.
Midwestern Singer songwriter Matt Fowler performs at the Egremont Barn as a stop on his wide-ranging tour.
The R & D Store at Mass MoCA and the Council on the Uncertain Human Future hold a talk on M.R. O’Connor’s Ignition: Lighting Fires in a Burning World, on the powerful phenomenon of wildfire.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Justin Adkins and Arianna Alexsandra Collins of HooRWA will lead a walk along the Hoosic River, identifying wild edible and medicinal plants and fungi.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
On a summer night, in the middle of a field on their midwest farm, a long-married couple sits on folding chairs to observe the seven stages of a lunar eclipse.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Hancock Shaker Village will take a deep dive into the Shaker world! on a Discovery Tour each Wednesday morning, led by experienced Village staff.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Dewey Hall hosts a game night for people of all ages who love playing games to gather with friends and/or join with others that share an interest.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Mass MoCA holds a preview celebration for Like Magic, artists resisting systems that try to surveil and control people’s lives and stories.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
Mass MoCA will hold a conversation with artists in Like Magic — Simone Bailey, Grace Clark, Petra Szilagyi and Nate Young — curator Alexandra Foradas and Mass MoCA Director Kristy Edmunds.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, Copenhagen, explores the events surrounding a fateful meeting between two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century: Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back at Naumkeag this year with more than 1,500 jack-o-lanterns and an expanded schedule —explore the gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn.
Chocolate peanut butter cookies, fresh flowers, jams and pickles and cheeses ... the North Adams Farmers Market returns with more than a dozen farmers and makers.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
