The Berkshire city of Pittsfield, MA was officially incorporated in 1761 and named after the British nobleman and politician William Pitt. Pittsfield. Pittsfield was primarily an agricultural community, due to the many brooks that flowed through it to the Housatonic River. There were many mills that were scattered throughout the township that produced lumber, grist, paper and textiles. Pittsfield, MA became the center of woolen manufacturing after the introduction of Merino sheep from Spain in 1807. This industry was a mainstay for the area residents for over a century. Pittsfield was a bustling metropolis by the late 19th century and continued to thrive until the late 20th century when the General Electric Company relocated out of the area. Today, the city of Pittsfield is trying to revitalize itself into a tourist destination and cultural center for the arts. There are wonderful museums and theatre groups to entertain all.
Wahconnah Park
Pittsfield, MA information:
Population: 44,737
Largest city in the Berkshires
Settled: 1752
Incorporated: 1761
Named after British nobleman William Pitt
Elevation: 1039ft Pittsfield, MA town website
City Hall: 70 Allen St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: (413) 499-9361
Use our directory to find places to shop, eat, stay and play at in the Berkshires.
It’s time for a fresher, healthier lunch. Welcome to “That’s A Wrap” restaurants, a new generation of sandwich shops in the Berkshires. The Chef inspired sandwiches, wraps and salads are sliced fresh and made to order.
Since 1994, Hot Tomatoes has been making the best and most creative pizza in the Berkshires. We start with the dough, which is stretched large and thin, like the best New York City pizza. Then we add our chunky tomato sauce and whole milk mozzarella cheese.
Contact information
Hot Tomatoes is located at 542 Tyler Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Phone: 413-443-6500
Web: https://hottomatoespizza.com/
Dr. Lahey’s Garden Center & Landscaping offers full service landscaping (patios, walkways, maintenance, seeding, new plantings). Certified in stonework. Fully stocked garden center. Interior plant maintenance. Rentals for social and business functions. Snowplow, sanding, and snow removal services.
Contact information
Dr. Lahey’s Garden Center & Landscaping is located at 1032 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Phone: 413-443-7321
Email: drlaheys@aol.com
The Country Club of Pittsfield’s lush, rolling par-71, 18-hole course will challenge your skill and delight your eye. This course was recently upgraded and renovated in 2003 adding over 25 new bunkers and redoing all others. From the tips the course plays a long 6500 yards.
Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield, Massachusetts has the unique distinction of being the only A.W. Tillinghast golf course in Massachusetts. Course features 18 holes with spectacular panoramic views in the heart of the Berkshires. This is a private course.
Pontoosuc Lake Country Club is an 18 hole par 70 golf course with spectacular views and great layout. Affordable golf that is open to the public.
Contact information
Pontoosuc Lake Country Club is located at 38 Kirkwood Drive, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Phone: 413 445-4543
Email: info@plcc.biz
Web: https://www.plcc.biz
Berkshire Music School offers private lessons and class instruction in Pittsfield, MA.
Contact information
Berkshire Music School is located at 30 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Phone: 413.442.1411
Web: https://berkshiremusicschool.org
Herman Melville’s Arrowhead is open daily from Memorial Day Weekend through October from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Tours begin hourly with the first tour at 10:00 a.m. and the last tour at 4:00 p.m. Tours are approximately 3/4 of an hour long. Tours of Arrowhead are available in the off-season by appointment only with a 24 to 48 hour notice.
Barrington Stage Company (BSC), founded in 1995, is a not-for-profit professional theatre company in the Berkshires, with a three-fold mission: to produce top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to find fresh, bold ways of bringing new audiences into the theatre, especially young people.
At the Berkshire Museum, there’s something for everyone. We offer a unique blend of exhibitions, galleries, and attractions for families of all ages. See exhibitions, fine art, and sculpture from around the world. Explore our touch tank and aquarium. Be amazed at our collection of artifacts from Native American cultures and ancient cultures of Egypt, China, and more. Marvel at the technology that awaits in the new Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation.
Contact information
Berkshire Museum is located at 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Phone: (413) 443-7171
Web: https://www.berkshiremuseum.org
“Main Season begins in April and runs through October. All of the historic buildings are open and you may walk through the Village at your own pace. The Discovery Room is also open with activities for children.
During self-guided tour season, the Village springs to life with hands-on history. The 20 buildings of this historic Village draw visitors from around the world. From April through October, visitors may roam the Village at will and at their own pace, choosing from a variety of craft demonstrations and programs. In the Visitors Center, exhibitions and galleries look deeper into specific aspects of Shaker life and place the Shakers into a broader American context.
Throughout the Village, artisans demonstrate Shaker crafts, gardeners tend herb and heirloom vegetable gardens, farmers talk about livestock on the Shaker farm, guides teach about Shaker worship and work, the Shaker schoolteacher (costumed staff) gives lessons in the schoolhouse, and the Discovery Room – our center of hands-on fun – is open with activities for young and old.”
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is a community arts center housed in a historic building in downtown Pittsfield. Inside, there’s a gallery and performance area, workshops, and artist’s studios. It’s open to the public and located at 28 Renne Avenue, just off Fenn Street between First and North Streets. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12 noon through 5pm.
Contact information
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is located at 28 Renne Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Phone: 413-499-9348
“Streams, waterfalls and flowering shrubs abound in Pittsfield State Forest. 65 acres of wild azalea fields are a profusion of pink blossoms in June. The forest has two camping areas, two picnic areas and a swimming beach. Fishermen frequent scenic Berry Pond, one of the highest natural water bodies in the state at 2,150 feet in elevation. The vista from the top of Berry Mountain, accessible by auto road from April to December, is a striking panorama and a great place to watch the sun set.
30 miles of trails encourage visitors to escape into the quiet of the state forest which follows the crest of the Taconic Mountain Range separating Massachusetts and New York. Access is available at several locations to the Taconic Crest Trail a 35 mile long hiking trail. The paved three-quarter mile Tranquility Trail is popular with wheelchair-users and other visitors who favor its smooth surface. A wheelchair-accessible picnic area and restroom are located nearby.”
Wahconah Park is a real one-of-a-kind place. One of the last remaining wooden ballparks in the country, it’s also one of only two in which the batter faces the setting sun in the early evening (the other is Sam Lynn Ballpark in Bakersfield, California). Depending on your point of view, the ballpark is either a run-down relic ready for the wrecking ball or a charming, quirky slice of baseball history. The main grandstand, complete with a full roof, really is constructed of wood. Plastic owls dangle from the rafters to thwart birds from nesting, and the “box” seats are simply folding chairs in the first few rows. With its ancient facilities and its setting in a mostly residential neighborhood, seeing a game here is a wonderful trip back in baseball history.
Brix is designed as a wine bar and bistro in the European tradition where good food and good wine are central to daily life. The name “Brix” is derived from Adolf Brix, whose refractometer is used by winemakers to measure (in units called Brix) the sugar content of a grape as it ripens on the vine.
