 |
| The Berkshires (photo: Abby Leadbetter) |
Culture lovers already flock to the Southern Berkshires in Massachusetts for concerts at Tanglewood in Lenox and dance performances at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket. But venturing a few towns north--to Pittsfield and Williamstown--opens up another world of artsy possibilities. Even after summer is over, the cultural activities continue.
Taking the Pits Out of PITTSFIELD
Back in 1998, First Lady Hillary Clinton came to town on a Save America’s Treasures tour and gave a shot-in-the-arm to blighted Pittsfield. The town’s subsequent revitalization has been tied to the arts--and what an impressive transformation it is. Architecturally, Pittsfield is not a charming New England town like Lenox or Stockbridge, but it makes up for that with all its’ cultural offerings.
Sterling Clark, heir to the
Singer sewing machine fortune, moved to Paris in 1910 and, along with his wife
Francine, began acquiring an extraordinary collection of Impressionist and Old
Master paintings. These masterpieces form the core of the Institute’s permanent
collection. Opened in 1955, as both a
museum and research center, The Clark’s original
neoclassical building is now surrounded by modern additions by
internationally-renown architect Tadao Ando. In addition to the artwork and
special exhibits, other offerings include: live music performances, talks, and
lectures. There are also walking trails on The Clark’s 140 acres of beautifully-landscaped forests and
fields. (Plus a great gift shop!)
Taking the Pits Out of PITTSFIELD
Back in 1998, First Lady Hillary Clinton came to town on a Save America’s Treasures tour and gave a shot-in-the-arm to blighted Pittsfield. The town’s subsequent revitalization has been tied to the arts--and what an impressive transformation it is. Architecturally, Pittsfield is not a charming New England town like Lenox or Stockbridge, but it makes up for that with all its’ cultural offerings.
 |
1st Fridays (photo: Karl Volkman)
|
Downtown Pittsfield, MA (May-Sept, 5pm-8pm;
Free)
Once a month, a big street
fair jazzes up Pittsfield’s main drag in the Upstreet Cultural District. There are bands playing, a variety of food stalls, and tons of
entertaining activities for young and old. In addition to what’s going on in
the street, shops, art studios, wine bars, and cafés stay open late. It’s also
a great opportunity to chat with the friendly locals.
 |
| Karen Andrews Asian Fusion |
Downtown Pittsfield, MA (May-Sept, 5pm-8pm;
Free) -- Who knew there were some
50 artist studios in downtown Pittsfield? On First Fridays, there’s art on
display not only in the galleries and studios but in all sorts of places:
restaurants, bagel shops, the Berkshire Medical Center, The Lichtenstein Center
for the Arts, and loads of other off-beat spots.
The Write Stuff
Arrowhead
 |
Melville’s writing desk
(photo: Pablo Sanchez)
|
780 Holmes Rd., Pittsfield, MA; Tel: 413/442-1793; www.mobydick.org (Open: May-Oct, Thurs-Mon, 9:30am-5pm, visit by Tour. Tours available off-season
by appointment; Fee)
Here’s something else you might not have known--Herman
Melville wrote Moby Dick, and several
other works, while living here from 1850 to 1863. Melville’s former home,
restored by the Berkshire Historical Society, is now a National Historic
Landmark and open to visitors.
It’s Showtime!
Barrington Stage Company
30 Union St., Pittsfield, MA, Tel:
413/236-8888;
barringtonstageco.org
 |
Debra Jo
Rupp, Dr. Ruth
©Barrington Stage
|
Founded in 1995, the not-for-profit company, housed in a renovated 1912 vaudeville theatre (plus several new buildings), produces award-winning plays and musicals, and finds
innovative ways to attract new audiences and introduce young people to theatre.
The new productions at Barrington Stage are so terrific they often transfer to
Broadway (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, American Son), but you can see them first, right here!
The Colonial Theater - Berkshire Theater Group
111 South St., Pittsfield, MA; Tel: 413/997-4444; www.thecolonialtheatre.org
 |
The Colonial Theater |
The Colonial, designed in
1903 by noted architect J.B. McElfatrick, was a popular Vaudeville theater.
After years of neglect, it’s been beautifully restored to its Gilded Age grandeur and now provides a stunning venue
for top-name stars for concerts, comedies, musicals, and family
entertainment all year long.
A Museum With More
Berkshire Museum
39 South St., Pittsfield,
MA; Tel: 413/443-7171; www.berkshiremuseum.org
(Open: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 12pm-5pm. Fee)
Opened in 1903 by Zenas Crane as an art and natural history museum, the Berkshire
Museum’s collection includes everything from fine art to fossils, an aquarium
to ancient artifacts, and objects from every continent. In addition to nifty
special exhibits, the museum hosts lots of creative events.
A Fistful of Festivals
Here are a few examples:
Here are a few examples:
February: 10X10 Upstreet: a contemporary arts
festival. April: Pittsfield CityJazz Festival: annual jazz fest.
Dining
Options: There’s a huge selection
of all kinds of restaurants, cafés and wine bars
on North Street in the Upstreet Cultural
District.
Spend the Night: Holiday Inn or Hotel on North.
Spend the Night: Holiday Inn or Hotel on North.
 |
Williamstown, MA
(photo: Daderot)
|
Getting There: Drive or from
New York (Port Authority Bus Terminal) take a Peter
Pan bus to Pittsfield; about 4 hours, but worth it! Seasonal weekend train service: Amtrak's The Berkshire Flyer will run Fri/Sun from May to October.
WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN WILLIAMSTOWN
About a half-hour from Pittsfield, this quaint
little town, home to Williams College founded in 1793, has some terrific cultural institutions you won’t want to miss.
Must-See Art Collections
Sterling and Francine
Clark Art Institute
225 South St.,
Williamstown, MA; Tel: 413/458-2303; clarkart.edu
(Open: Tues-Sun, 10am–5pm;
daily in the summer. Fee)
 |
Sterling
& Francine Clark Art Institute
(photo:
Betty Sartori)
|
Sterling Clark, heir to the
Singer sewing machine fortune, moved to Paris in 1910 and, along with his wife
Francine, began acquiring an extraordinary collection of Impressionist and Old
Master paintings. These masterpieces form the core of the Institute’s permanent
collection. Opened in 1955, as both a
museum and research center, The Clark’s original
neoclassical building is now surrounded by modern additions by
internationally-renown architect Tadao Ando. In addition to the artwork and
special exhibits, other offerings include: live music performances, talks, and
lectures. There are also walking trails on The Clark’s 140 acres of beautifully-landscaped forests and
fields. (Plus a great gift shop!) |
Eyes by Louise Bourgeois
(©WCMA, photo:
Arthur Evans)
|
Williams College Museum
of Art
Rt. 2, 15 Lawrence Hall
Dr., Williamstown, MA; Tel: 413/597-2429; wcma.williams.edu
(Open: Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm; Free)
This lovely little spot is
considered one of the finest college art museums in the country with 13,000
works that cover the history of art. But, WCMA is best known for modern and
contemporary art, especially its collection of American art from the late-18th
century to the present.
The Stars are Out
Williamstown Theatre
Festival
Rt. 2, 1000 Main St.,
Williamstown, MA; Tel: 413/597-3400; wtfestival.org
 |
Blythe Danner,
The Blue Deep
(photo: T. Charles Erickson)
|
Every summer, for almost 70 years, the Festival brings top
actors to this tiny town to perform in exciting versions of the classics and
new works by gifted playwrights. It’s worth a trip to Williamstown to see a
production. It’s also fun to spot big-name stars eating in the local cafés. (Sadly, no summer program in 2026 as the Festival will become biennial.)
Dining Options: Along Spring Street,
in the center of town, there are lots of nice little shops, galleries, and
eateries.
Spent the
Night: Plenty of charming accommodations.
Getting There: Drive or from
New York (Penn Station), take an Amtrak train to the Albany station (about 2 ½
hrs, with stunning views of the Hudson River along the way). Then, a taxi or
car service to Williamstown, about an hour. (Abbott Limo Service:
413/243-1645) Also, bus
connections run between Pittsfield and Williamstown.
