PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) welcomes the community to Herman Melville's historic Arrowhead for a free day of family-friendly activities on Sunday, Sept. 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. 

 

The day includes food, fun, music, history, hands-on activities, traditional craft demonstrations, and more. 

 

House tours are available by ticket only. A full schedule of activities is available at https://berkshirehistory.org/event/arrowhead-community-day-2/. The event is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.

 

"Community Day is one of the most important things BCHS does," said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "We welcome the community to Arrowhead to celebrate the history that makes Berkshire County such a wonderful place to be. By sharing the grounds with other local and historic organizations, we showcase the breadth and depth of what this county offers to residents and locals alike."

 

The house now known as Arrowhead was built around 1784 by Captain David Bush who fought in the Revolutionary War and returned to Pittsfield to start a family. To celebrate Arrowhead's history, BCHS will host re-enactors who will interpret Revolutionary War camp life. Visitors can speak with participants about their activities and everyday life during the war. Drills will be performed, along with three separate musket demonstrations throughout the day. 

 

Other living history activities include traditional blacksmithing demonstrations by Chris Templin and papermaking with The Crane Museum of Papermaking.

 

 On Community Day, BCHS welcomes The Bidwell House Museum, Baseball in the Berkshires, Berkshire Museum, and Ventfort Hall to Arrowhead. Staff and volunteers from these organizations will welcome visitors and provide information about their institutions, history, and upcoming events.

 

A variety of family friendly games and crafts will be available. Visitors can participate in a scavenger hunt; make buttons, leaf rubbings, and pinwheels; or play Corn Hole and with test their skill with hula hoops.

 

An eclectic mix of music will be performed my local and regional groups. Aldo Lavaggi and the Russet Trio, who perform traditional string music and more, hail from the nearby Hudson Valley. Music teacher and writer David Hodge of Egremont will perform guitar favorites and original compositions. BCHS board member and musician John Hamilton will perform keyboard and other music.

 

The Berkshire food scene will be represented by Worthington's Worthy Q Smoke n' BBQ food truck and SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington offering food for purchase. In addition, Berkshire Cider Project will offer free tastings and bottled cider for sale.

 

BCHS staff authors John Dickson and Jana Laiz, as well as author and BCHS docent Richard Matturro will participate in Community Day with a book signing. Visitors can bring books to be signed or purchase them in the museum shop.