Hilltown Families 
Berkshire Family Fun: November 2017
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
November 2017
Find out about community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County for the month of October. We’ll be adding to this list as the month progresses, so be sure to check back each week. Do you have an event you’d like to include in this list? Email us at info@hilltownfamilies.org.
To find out what’s happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, check our comprehensive list of Weekly Suggested Events, published every Thursday!
Berkshire Family Fun, a project of Hilltown Families, is sponsored in part by MASS MoCA:
Berkshire Family Fun is also supported in part by a grant from the Hinsdale/Peru, Mount Washington, Monterey, North Berkshire, Pittsfield, Washington, and Windsor Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
North Berkshire
Adams | Cheshire | Florida | Hancock | Lanesborough | Monterey | North Adams | Williamstown | Windsor
Central Berkshire | South Berkshire
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Berkshire Arts And Technology Charter School. 1 Commercial Street.
Adams Visitor’s Center. 3 Hoosac Street.
Adams Library. 413-743-8345. 92 Park Street.
Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum. 413-743-7121. 67 East Road.
Abbot School. 56 North Country Road.
Hancock Shaker Village. 1843 W Housatonic St. 413-443-0188
Bascom Lodge 413-743-1591. 30 Rockwell Road.
Lanesborough Library — 413-499-5981. 83 North Main Street.
Mt. Greylock — 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road.
Bidwell House Museum – 413-528-6888. 100 Art School Road.
Ashintully — 413-298-3239. Sodom Road
Saturday, November 25, 1pm
TRANSPORTATION/TRAINS
Did you know that ferroequinology is the study of trains? From the latin word for “iron horse,” ferroequinologists are fascinated by all things related to these magnificent machines. If you or someone you know is an amateur ferroequinologist, you won’t want to miss this great opportunity to experience a scenic train ride through the beautiful Berkshire hills this holiday season with the Hoosac Valley Train Ride’s “Tinseliner”! The train departs from North Adams and each ride is full of holiday fun, featuring a visit from Father Christmas and gifts for kids. North Adams, MA. ($)
Windsor Lake. Kemp Avenue and Bradley Street.
The Maker’s Mill. 100 Eagle Street.
DownStreet Art. Main Street and downtown.
North Adams Farmers’ Market 413-664-6180. St. Anthony Drive & Route 8.
Western Gateway Heritage State Park 413-663-6312. 115 State Street.
North Adams Public Library 413-662-3133. 74 Church Street.
MASS MoCA 413-662-2111. 1040 MASS MoCA Way.
Haskins Community Center 413-664-4821. 210 State Street.
Natural Bridge State Park — 413-663-6392. McCauley Road.
Milne Public Library 413-458-5369. 1095 Main Street.
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation 413-458-2494. 671 Cold Spring Road.
Clark Art Institute 413-458-2303. 225 South Street.
Images Cinema. 413-458-5612. 50 Spring Street.
Sweet Brook Farm — 413-884-4246. 580 Oblong Road.
Williams College Museum of Art — 413-597-2376. 15 Lawrence Hall Drive.
Williamstown Youth Center — 413-458-5925. 270 Cole Avenue.
Notchview Reservation 413-684-0148. Route 9. Windsor, MA.
Central Berkshire
Becket | Dalton | Hinsdale | Lee | Lenox | Peru | Pittsfield | Richmond | Stockbridge | Tyringham | Washington | West Stockbridge
North Berkshire | South Berkshire
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BECKET
Jacob’s Pillow Dance. 413-243-9919. 358 George Carter Road. Becket, MA. (FREE)
Dalton Free Public Library 413-684-6112. 462 Main Street.
Crane Museum of Papermaking. 413-684-2600. 30 South Street.
Saturday, November 11, 10am-1pm
NATURE STUDIES
Wind through the northern hardwood forest and learn how to document and share your observations from the natural world using the iNaturalist app/website. The Basin Pond Trail is 2.5 miles and brings visitors through a natural amphitheater of rock-strewn slopes and cascading streams. State-of-the-art trail design and stonework create a trail with gentle grades and an intriguing visitor experience. Please bring lunch/snack, water, and appropriate footwear. 413-499-0596. Lee, MA. (FREE)
Spectrum Playhouse – 413-394-5023. 20 Franklin Street.
South Berkshire Kids – 413-464-5095. 100 Main Street.
Lee Library – 413-243-0385. 100 Main Street.
Lenox Community Center. 413-637-5530. 65 Walker Street.
Lenox Library — 413-637-0197. 18 Main Street.
Lenox Historical Society — Main Street.
The Mount – 413-551-5111. 2 Plunkett Street.
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary – 472 West Mountain Road.
Shakespeare and Company – 413-637-3353. 70 Kemble Street.
Ventfort Hall – 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street.
Saturday, November 18, 9am-1pm
FARMERS’ MARKET/LOCAL FOOD/BEEKEEPING
The Pittsfield Farmers’ Market is kicking off their indoor season this Saturday! In addition to all the local vendors and craftspeople, at this event there will be a special presentation from the beekeepers at Luna Vista Honey. They will be sharing their skills and knowledge about beekeeping, especially focusing on how bees function in the winter and how to keep them warm and safe in cold weather. Bees are a vital part of local ecosystems and food production! This Saturday children can also enjoy face painting and balloon animals. 74 First Street, Pittsfield, MA. (FREE)
Saturday, November 18, 10am-12pm
CREATIVE FREE PLAY/ARCHITECTURE
The educational benefits of playing with blocks have been well known to developmental psychologists for years. Psychologist Rachel Keen argues that this type of free play is an excellent way to “encourage problem solving.” Blocks can improve motor and spatial skills, as well as creative thinking, and collaborative and social skills. At this Pop-Up Play Day, hosted by Berkshire Museum, children will have the opportunity to play with oversized, colorful architectural blocks. 413-443-7171. 39 South Street (Route 7), Pittsfield, MA (FREE w/Museum Admission)
Saturday, November 18, 11am
FAMILY PERFORMANCE
David Grover is a Berkshires favorite who led Arlo Guthrie’s band for many years. David has performed and written with many talented musicians, including Pete Seeger and Doc Watson. His ability to connect with people of all ages creates a powerful sense of unity, and is a rousing crowd-pleaser. David will be performing accompanied by his daughter Jessica on bass. 413-997-4444. The Garage at the Colonial Theatre. 111 South Street. Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
Saturday, November 25, 7pm
ART STUDIES/DOCUMENTARY
Few cities are as famously and lovingly represented as the city of Venice is in the work of the 18th century painter known as Canaletto. Indeed, it’s hard to think of Venice without images from Canaletto’s sumptuous paintings coming to mind. The shimmering waters of the lagoon, the fleets of busy gondolas, the tower at the Piazza San Marco. This edition of Exhibition on Screen takes viewers on their own tour of some of the sites portrayed in Canaletto’s works. This film features 200 paintings and drawings by Canaletto and offers fascinating details about Canaletto’s life and work. If you have always been enchanted by the city of Venice, you won’t want to miss it! Learn more at the Berkshire Museum. 39 South Street. Pittsfield, MA ($)
Beacon Cinema. 413-358-4780. 57 North Street.
Wahconah Park. 105 Wahconah Street.
Berkshire Community College. 1350 West Street.
The Berkshire Athenaeum 413-499-4809. 1 Wendell Avenue.
Berkshire Humane Society 413-447-7878. 214 Barker Road.
Berkshire Lyric Theatre – 413-499-0258
Berkshire Museum – 413-443-7171 x10. 39 South Street.
Berkshire Music School — 413-442-1411. 30 Wendell Ave.
Colonial Theatre — 413-298-5576. 111 South Street.
Downtown Pittsfield Farmers’ Market. First Street.
First Friday Artswalk — Downtown.
Hancock Shaker Village – 413-443-0188. 1843 West Housatonic Street.
Herman Melville’s Arrowhead. 413-442-1793. 780 Holmes Road.
Hilltop Orchard — Route 295.
Saturday, November 4, 5-7pm
LIVING HISTORY
Once again, history comes alive as the ghosts of past Stockbridge residents congregate at the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives for the “Shades of Stockbridge” program. These characters, played by volunteers, invite living, breathing residents and visitors to join them for an evening of historical gossip and spirited discussion. Early authors Catharine Maria Sedgwick and Rachel Field will return as well as industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. They will be joined by original settler Abigail Williams Sergeant and photographer Anson Clark, plus many other illustrious guests. Shady Porches Image Visitors may merely eavesdrop or they may speak directly to the apparitions if they wish. No reservation is required. Tickets are available at Library in advance or on the day. 413-298-5501. Stockbridge, MA (>$)
Saturday, November 25, 1pm-4pm
MUSEUM/STORY TIME
For decades, Norman Rockwell’s iconic paintings of mid-century Americana have delighted and inspired adults and children. Now some of Rockwell’s most charming paintings have been paired with rhyming text written by author Will Lach. Come celebrate his two new books, based on Rockwell’s art, with a reading and book signing at the Norman Rockwell Museum. As a special treat, Mary Whalen Leonard, one of Rockwell’s most famous models, will answer questions. This event is an absolute must for any Rockwell fan! Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum for more information. 9 Glendale Rd, Stockbridge, MA. (FREE w/Museum Admission)
Kripalu Center For Yoga and Health. 57 Interlaken Road.
Naumkeag. 5 Prospect Hill.
Berkshire Botanical Garden 413-298-3926. 5 West Stockbridge Road.
Chesterwood — 413-298-3579. 4 Williamsville Road
Norman Rockwell Museum – 413-298-4100. 9 Route 183.
The Stockbridge Library, Museum, and Archives – 413-298-5501. 18 Main Street.
Ashintully Gardens. 413-298-3239. Sodem Road.
West Stockbridge Public Library – 413-232-0300 x308. 21 State Line Road.
South Berkshire
Alford | Great Barrington | Housatonic | Monterey | New Marlborough | Sheffield
North Berkshire | Central Berkshire
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Saturday, November 11, 7:30pm
THEATER/SHAKESPEARE
The Bard College at Simon’s Rock Theater Program presents Henry V by William Shakespeare. Ill prepared after his misspent youth, young Prince Hal must take on the mantle of king after the premature death of his father, King Henry IV. Counselors of Church and State, eager to advise, offer him war with France as an opportunity to cement loyalty to his throne but the new king discovers that leading a country challenges him intellectually, morally, personally, and spiritually in ways he never imagined. Over 400 years after it was first performed, Shakespeare’s Henry V continues to ask the most important questions about what it means to be a leader of men and how deeply and complexly our humanity is challenged when we are called to such a task. Daniel Arts Center, McConnell Theater. 84 Alford Rd. Great Barrington, MA (FREE)
Triplex Cinema. 70 Railroad Street.
Lake Mansfield. 413-528-2810, ext. 30. Lake Mansfield Road.
Berkshire South Regional Community Center — 413-528-2810. 15 Crissey Road.
Great Barrington Historical Society — South Main Street.
The Guthrie Center — 413-644-9288. 2 Van Deusenville Road.
Great Barrington Riverwalk — Church and River Streets.
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center — 413-528-0100. 14 Castle Street.
Mason Library — 413-528-2403. 231 Main Street.
South Berkshire Kids – 413-464-5095. 444 Old Stockbridge Road.
Project Native – 413-274-3433. 342 North Plain Road.
Ramsdell Library – 413-274-3738. 1087 Main Street.
Bidwell House Museum — 413-528-6888. 100 Art School Road.
Cookson State Forest — Hotchkiss Road.
New Marlborough Library — 413-664-0104. 1 Mill River-Great Barrington Road.
Otis Cultural Council
Otis Library and Museum – 413-269-0109. 48 North Main Road.
Bushnell-Sage Library – 413-229-7004. 48 Main Street.
Bartholomew’s Cobble – 413-229-8600. 105 Weatogue Road.
Sheffield Historical Society. 413-229-2694. 91 Main St.
