Hilltown Families 
Berkshire Family Fun: September 2018
Berkshire County Highlighted Learning Opportunities for Families:
September 2018
Find out about community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County for the month of September.
We add to this list weekly, as we learn about events, so be sure to check back each week.
If you have a community event, educational program, or service-learning opportunity happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, self-post your event at any time on our Suggest An Event bulletin board. You can also send your suggestions to events@hilltownfamilies.org. The events below are “suggested.” Please take the time to confirm that these events are happening, along with time, place, age appropriateness, and costs before attending.
To find out what’s happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, check our comprehensive list of Weekly Suggested Events, published every Thursday! There you will also find our list of ongoing weekday playgroups, story hours and events both in Berkshire County and throughout the region.
ADVERTISE HERE: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! Find out more about our advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by emailing us at sales@hilltownfamilies.org.
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, Pittsfield, Sandisfield, Windsor, Washington, and Mt. Washington 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
Support Hilltown Families!
Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum. 413-743-7121. 67 East Road. Adams, MA.
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
Friday, September 28, 5:30pm
PLACEMAKING/PARADE
Come celebrate community and the coming fall with the
North Adams Annual Children’s Parade. This event is part of North Adams’ weeklong Fall Foliage Festival, featuring a wide variety of events and activities. All children from the Northern Berkshires are invited to dress up and join the parade! The theme of this year’s festival is “The Year of the Dog.” And don’t forget to check out all exciting Fall Foliage Festival events. Main Street, North Adams, MA (FREE)
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.
Tuesday, September 11, 5:30-6:30pm
ARCHITECTURE/HISTORY
Structuralist philosopher Roland Barthes once wrote: “Eiffel saw his Tower in the form of a serious object, rational, useful; men return it to him in the form of a great baroque dream which quite naturally touches on the borders of the irrational … architecture is always dream and function, expression of a utopia and instrument of a convenience.” Occupying this liminal space, between wakefulness and slumber, architecture has historically been guarded by the initiate, like a hermetic secret. It is well known that things kept in the dark long to be discovered. A skeleton in the closet is a surefire recipe for a haunting. As Holly Fellow Beatriz Colomina will discuss in this free lecture, women are the ghosts of architecture, a prickling sensation on the back of the neck, felt but not seen or acknowledged. It is not merely a matter of recognizing the role of women in the history of architecture, however, but a tectonic shift in the conception of architecture itself. The Clark Art Institute. 225 South Street, Williamstown, MA (FREE)
Saturday, September 15, 12pm
BIOLOGY/CITIZEN SCIENCE
Calling all amateur biologists: It’s time for the 9th annual Berkshire Bioblitz! During this 24 hour period, teams of participants will go out into the beautiful, 2, 600 acre Hopkins Forest preserve, accompanied by an expert scientist, and see how many species they can find from a list. This is a great way to learn about local biology and get hands-on experience assisting with real scientific research. You’ll be amazed how much wildlife there is right under your nose. All ages welcome. Hopkins Forest. Williamstown, MA (FREE)
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
Support Hilltown Families!
Dalton Free Public Library 0 413-684-6112. 462 Main Street.
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.
Wednesday, September 5, 6pm
NATURE STUDIES/BEAVERS
Did you know that during the 17th century the Roman Catholic Church ruled that for the purposes of dietary laws, beavers should technically be considered as a species of fish? This ruling meant that the ordinary prohibition on meat consumption on Fridays did not extend to beaver meat. Beavers, the second largest rodent in the world, are probably best known for their amazing ability to alter their environment by constructing dams and lodges. These structures serve a number of important functions for beavers, including protection from predators and storing food for the winter. Spend an evening searching for beavers and learning all about these industrious critters! Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley. 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA ($)
Saturday, September 22, 10am-5pm
PLACEMAKING/FESTIVAL
Now that the weather is beginning to turn, that can only mean one thing: the apple harvest is right around the corner! For almost forty years, the Berkshire community has been welcoming the fall with a special festival, celebrating the apple harvest. The Lenox Apple Squeeze features musical performances, vendors, and fun for the whole family. Don’t miss this beloved local tradition. 4 Housatonic Street, Lenox, MA (FREE)
Sunday, September 23, 10am-5pm
PLACEMAKING/FESTIVAL
Now that the weather is beginning to turn, that can only mean one thing: the apple harvest is right around the corner! For almost forty years, the Berkshire community has been welcoming the fall with a special festival, celebrating the apple harvest. The Lenox Apple Squeeze features musical performances, vendors, and fun for the whole family. Don’t miss this beloved local tradition. 4 Housatonic Street, Lenox, MA (FREE)
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, September 1, 2pm
HISTORY/ARCHITECTURE
The Hancock Shaker Village was first established in 1791, the third of the nineteen Shaker communities created in New England and elsewhere in the United States by the founder of the religious ‘Mother’ Ann Lee. Lee, a Mancunian by birth, had visions as a young women in her native England. Fleeing persecution for their unorthodox beliefs, including the renunciation of procreation, Lee and her followers settled in Albany, New York. Until the mid nineteenth century, the Shaker movement continued to grow and the community peaked at around five thousand members. The Shakers promoted celibacy, complete gender equality, radical self sufficiency, and communal living. Come experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the village and learn about the history of the buildings themselves. Hancock Shaker Village. 1843 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA ($$)
Friday, September 7, 5pm
PLACEMAKING/ART STUDIES
Pittsfield is rapidly becoming known as a center for the arts in the region. Every first Friday of the month, come out and explore the works of some of Pittsfield’s most renowned artists with a leisurely stroll through the city’s Upstreet Cultural District. Most of the artists will be in the studios and galleries from 5 to 8pm and will be available to discuss their work. This is a great opportunity to learn about the artistic process. For more information and a completely list of artists and locations, please visit First Fridays Arts Walk. Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
Wednesday, September 12, 6:30-8pm
HEALTH AND WELLNESS/OPEN HOUSE
Intuitive Spirit Healing Arts and Modig Internal Disciplines are teaming up for a special open house, this wednesday! This event will give you the opportunity to learn about new healing and wellness modalities, including massage, acupressure, reiki, qigong, and yoga. If you’ve always been curious about some of these techniques, you can ask talk to the therapists, ask questions, or even attend a demonstration. These time honored healing traditions are perfect for dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, and a host of other ailments. 42 Summer Street, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
Saturday, September 15, 10:30am-12pm
MUSIC STUDIES/OPEN HOUSE
The Berkshire Music School has a rich history going back to 1940, when it was founded as the Pittsfield Community Music School. Created by community member Winnie Davis Long Crane, the school was designed “to provide quality education in music and musical opportunities to people in the greater Berkshire community regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, disability, age, or ability to pay.” To this day, the Berkshire Music School honors the memory of its founder by never turning down anyone for inability to pay. At this open house event, visitors will have the opportunity to try out a music instrument, meet with BMS instructors, and even attend a free class! Berkshire Music School. 30 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
Tuesday, September 18, 10:30am
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Verbal, physical, and social activities are key for children’s growth and development. Come read, sing, and play with your 6 to 18 month olds at the WeeMuse Littlest Learners program at Berkshire Museum! Children will be able to move and play and caregivers will have the opportunity to share stories and discuss their experiences. Berkshire Museum. 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)
Friday, September 21, 7-8:30pm
FILM STUDIES/SCREENING
As one of the original seven members of Saturday Night Live, Gilda Radner was one of the greatest comedians of her era. Her autobiography, It’s Always Something, also described her lifelong health struggles and her relationship with Gene Wilder. Tragically dying of cancer at the age of 42, Radner wrote in her autobiography: “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.” The documentary “Love, Gilda” tells the story of the comedian’s life in her own words, drawing from her autobiography, diaries, and home movies. Berkshire Museum. 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA ($)
Saturday, September 22, 12-11pm
PLACEMAKING/FESTIVAL
As Lord of the Rings author, J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote: “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” Indeed, hope is most important in times of struggle. If everything was perfect all the time, there would be no need for hope. Written during the rise of fascism and the chaos of World War II, Tolkien’s words may resonate with our time as well. Today, we need hope and love more than ever. All day this Saturday come celebrate hope and the promise of a better tomorrow at the Cosecha de Esperanza/Harvest of Hope Festival! Join the community to sing, dance, share food, and discuss creative ways to work towards social justice and environmental sustainability. The Common Park. 100 First Street, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
Wednesday, September 26, 10-10:45am
STEM/EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
It’s never too early to expose children to new ideas! For young children, sensory activities and exploration are the perfect ways to learn. The bi-weekly WeeMuse Parent/Child Stem session introduces children ages 2 to 4 to science, technology, engineering, and math, through fun games and activities. Older and younger siblings are welcome to join. Berkshire Museum. 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
Friday, September 28, 8-9:30pm
NATURE STUDIES/BIRD WATCHING
Autumn is an ideal time for bird watching, as they travel south on their migration routes. What could be lovelier on an early fall morning than to be in a quiet, peaceful meadow, watching the birds as they come and go. Our local wildlife sanctuaries protect these lands and the creatures that make their homes there. It is thanks to them that we have the opportunity to observe the beauty of the natural world. So bring your binoculars or call ahead to reserve a pair and come on out for Birding at Canoe Meadows! Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary. Holmes Road, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
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.
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 |Egremont | Great Barrington | Housatonic | Monterey | New Marlborough | Sheffield
North Berkshire | Central Berkshire
Support Hilltown Families!
Thursday, September 13, 5:30pm
PUPPETRY/THEATER
Puppetry has a longstanding relationship with radical politics, and there are few puppetistas more well known than the folks at Bread and Puppet. Since the Vietnam War, Bread and Puppet has been performing incredible shows, featuring enormous puppets and thought provoking stories that challenge us to question the way we see the world. Come experience Bread and Puppets signature blend of puppetry and theater, at “The Grasshopper Rebellion Circus,” a show that redefines the idea of human nature. Daniel Arts Center. 84 Alford Road, Great Barrington, MA (FREE)
Thursday, September 13, 7-9:30pm
MUSIC STUDIES
Arlo Guthrie’s song “Massachusetts” was chosen as the official song of the state but his classic “Alice’s Restaurant” would have also been a perfect choice. This eighteen minute masterpiece recounts the epic sage of Guthrie’s arrest in Stockbridge after being caught dumping “half a ton of garbage” on private property. The garbage in question had originated from the home of Guthrie’s friends Ray and Alice Brock. The latter owned a restaurant, which eventually closed, but as the song says, Alice lived in an old church building nextdoor. The church, originally built in 1829, is now the home of the Guthrie Center and Guthrie Foundation. Every thursday, the Guthrie Center hosts a Weekly Hootenanny, where everyone is welcome to come play music or just listen along! The Guthrie Center. 2 Van Deusenville Road, Great Barrington, MA (FREE)
Friday, September 14, 6:30-8pm
ASTRONOMY/STEM
Astronomers and physicists work with some of the most intriguing ideas in the universe, literally! One of the most intriguing concepts in theoretical physics is the idea of a clock that could keep time even after the universe has ceased to exist. Yes, you read that correctly. A team of researchers at California’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have begun work constructing an eternal clock, based off a model proposed by physicists at MIT. This clock, made from a crystal existing in four dimensions, which is to say time and space, would be composed of charged atoms. The repulsive force between like-charged particles could, theoretically, be calculated at a low enough quantum energy state that its momentum would never become subject to the laws of entropy, the force that gradually erodes all energy in the universe. Thus, a clock constructed from these particles would be able to record time forever. What would it even look like to record time forever? By definition “forever” never ends. The idea of a clock that literally never stops is frankly enough to make ones head explode. Well if you’re excited about astronomy but are looking for something a little less mind-bending, come check out this Family Astronomy event with Rick Costello. Mason Library Children’s Room. 231 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA (FREE)
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.
EGREMONT
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 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.
