Located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Pittsfield is the county seat and largest city in the county. It is also the principal city of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses the entire county. It has a population of 43,927 as of the 2020 census.
Berkshire Carousel
The Berkshire Carousel is an iconic icon in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The project began in a garage on Merrill Road in 2005. Since then, the workshop has moved about a dozen times. Originally, the carousel organizers intended to locate the carousel in Pittsfield, but they later relocated to the Berkshire Mall. After some time, they toyed with the idea of moving it to Laston Field in Lanesborough. Eventually, they decided to remain at the mall.
The original carousel was located on Pontoosuc Lake in Pittsfield. Jackie Shulman, a Pittsfield native, remembers riding it as a child. He and his wife came up with the project to move it to a better location. During this time, the carousel moved to Lanesborough and Dalton, but eventually moved back to its original location in Pittsfield.
Volunteers hand-carved the horses, chariots, and ponies for the Berkshire Carousel. These carvers were inspired by classic carousel figures from the Golden Age of Carousels. Those who are willing to donate money to the project will be able to help with the carousel’s construction costs. Additionally, the carousel will have murals on its rounding boards depicting the beautiful Berkshires.
The Berkshire Carousel is expected to be an iconic, 11,000-square-foot facility in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It will be a beautiful landmark building and will bring Pittsfield’s Beaux-Arts heritage to life. The carousel will have restrooms, concession stands, and gift areas. It is also planned to be open year-round.
Shaker Village
For visitors to the Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, there are several ways to experience the Shaker way of life. The museum provides an insightful look into the Shakers’ dedication to sustainable agriculture, design, commerce, and craftsmanship. Visitors can view over two thousand artifacts, including Shaker tools and everyday goods. The museum is considered the largest collection of Shaker artifacts in the world.
The Hancock Shaker Village is located on Route 20 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The historic site contains more than 20 buildings furnished with Shaker furniture, an heirloom herb and vegetable garden, and a visitor center with changing exhibitions. The Shakers first settled in the area in the late 1700s and lived here until the 1960s. Visitors can explore many of the buildings on self-guided tours. The village also offers special holiday events.
Hikers can also take advantage of the nearby Shaker Trail. The 6.5-mile (8.0-kilometer) route takes hikers to the North Family sites and the Holy Mount, and returns to the trailhead. The hike will require about five hours to complete. The trail is not always well-marked, so it’s important to pay attention to the directions and signposts.
If you’re planning a special event in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, you’ll want to choose a location with unique atmosphere. The Hancock Shaker Village offers three unique locations for your next event. The village also offers several options for the Shaker Supper. You can choose to host a luncheon or dinner in the Shaker style in the historic buildings.
Lake Onota
Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or a quiet place to relax and unwind, Pittsfield offers a variety of activities. Visitors can take advantage of the town’s abundant wildlife, including turtles, ospreys, and bears. The Pittsfield State Forest features trails and campsites for camping, and you can hike the nearby Berry Mountain for an excellent view of the area.
For some great local craft beer, check out the Wandering Star Craft Brewery. The fifteen-barrel brewery is open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. It sells on-premise and by the growler. It’s the perfect place to spend a day with friends and family.
If you’re an avid skier, the area’s two major ski resorts offer over 200 acres of skiable terrain. For non-skiers, there’s Yokun Terrain Park, an adventure park featuring high-speed rails. The town also hosts outdoor concerts. Another great place to visit while in Pittsfield is Lake Onota, a 617-acre lake with wooded edges and 19th-century homes. Visitors can rent rowboats or motorized fishing boats from the Onota Boat Livery.
Lake Onota is one of Pittsfield’s most popular places. It offers sandy beaches and picnic tables with shade trees, which makes it the ideal place to relax and unwind. Onota Lake also features picnic tables, grassy areas, and picnic areas. The beach is located on the east side of the lake.
Onota Lake is a 617-acre body of water owned by the City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It’s ideal for relaxing and a great place for a family outing. Recreational water activities include swimming, boating, and boating.
Berkshire Museum
If you’re interested in art, natural history, and ancient civilization, you’ll want to visit the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA. The museum is situated in the town of Pittsfield, which is in Berkshire County. The museum’s permanent collection includes many important paintings, sculptures, and objects from the ancient world.
The Berkshire Museum is an eclectic, family-friendly museum that blends science, history, and art exhibits into one space. It also houses a cinema showing first-rate films. Walk-ins are welcome, though advance ticket purchase is encouraged. Reservations are non-refundable, and rescheduling of a reservation is subject to availability.
The Berkshire Museum is open year-round in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and offers a variety of family-friendly educational programs. Zenas Crane, a prominent paper magnate, founded the museum in 1903. It provides visitors with a window into Berkshires history and world culture. The museum’s collections are categorized into four areas: art by named artists; material culture created by individuals; living aquatic animals; and inanimate natural objects.
In addition to the permanent collections, the Berkshire Museum is home to a world-class Aquarium. In addition to rotating exhibitions, the museum also features a Native American gallery, reptile room, and a Little Cinema that shows independent, foreign, and documentary films.
The Berkshire Museum is in the midst of a $3.5 million improvement plan. The museum has recently sold nine paintings, bringing in a combined total of $47 million. The museum has announced plans to sell nine more paintings in the coming months. The art sale sparked international and local outrage, and a court intervention was sought after.
The board of trustees of nonprofit museums have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that museum collections are used for the public’s benefit. The trustees of the Berkshire Museum are highly capable individuals, but their decision to sell some of their art treasures is not a good one for the institution.
Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary
Located one mile from Pittsfield, the Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary is an excellent place to observe various types of wildlife. The 264-acre sanctuary offers trails that wind through scenic woods, fields, and wetlands. It also features a community garden and weekly guided bird walks.
The Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary is run by the Audubon Society, a statewide conservation nonprofit. This place has trails that wind through wetlands and fields, and a boardwalk that allows you to view the beautiful sights. The facility also has guided birding walks where you can spot species like warblers and osprey. The trail head is located on Holmes Road, just minutes from downtown.