Celebrate An Old Fashioned Christmas at Arrowhead

Starting in December The Berkshire County Historical Society will celebrate the season with two special programs that will be at Arrowhead, the historic home of Herman Melville.

On December 8 at 5 pm a special tour of Arrowhead will be offered, and on December 15, local author Kevin O’Hara will read from his latest book A Christmas Journey.

There is a capacity for both events that is limited and pre-registration is required; phone 413 442 1793 or email melville@berkshirehistory.org.

These free events are sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Get Ready for Holiday Lights!

Looking back Herman Melville celebrated Christmas at Arrowhead in the late-nineteenth century, a time that gave rise to new Victorian holiday traditions such as tree decorating, gift-giving, Santa Claus, greeting cards, stockings by the fire, church activities and family-oriented days of feasting and fun.

The Berkshire County Historical Society recreates some of this splendor on December 8 with a special evening tour of Arrowhead decorated as it might have been during the Melville family’s residence.

The tour will include seasonal readings in each room; Francine Ciccarelli portraying Elizabeth Melville will reminisce about her family’s Christmas traditions and read a poem written by her husband; period holiday recipes will be available; and rarely-exhibited holiday-themed objects from the museum’s collection will be displayed.

A Christmas Journey, New Readings with Kevin O’Hara

Noted Pittsfield author Kevin O'Hara will read Christmas tales included in his new illustrated book, A Christmas Journey. This will be a special evening of joyous and heartfelt tales from Kevin’s Pittsfield childhood. A Christmas Journey includes 16 of O’Hara’s annual Christmas column published in The Berkshire Eagle.

Get your Holiday Shopping on!

Stop by The Berkshire County Historical Societies museum shop offering a wonderfule selection of books, apparel, gifts, and one-of-a-kind items relating to Melville and other Berkshire County authors.