Discover the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield

Are you planning to add the Berkshire Athenaeum to your itinerary while exploring Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the Berkshires? Housed in a building from the 19th century called the Bowes Building, this jewel of the city is definitely worth your time. It's honestly one of the most charming and interesting public libraries in America. However, you may be wondering about what to do at the Berkshire Athenaeum once you arrive. Here are some insider tips for how to make the most of your visit.

First, a Little Bit About the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield

The Berkshire Athenaeum stands today two doors down from its original location in the center of bustling Pittsfield. The story began when a wealthy Pittsfield native, Thomas Allen, donated $50,000 from the fortune he made in the railroad industry to create a library here in 1861. At the time, the land secured for the library's development was located along Pittsfield's Bank Row. The original Berkshire Athenaeum opened its doors in 1876 to serve as a place of learning. The building notably featured stunning Great Barrington blue limestone that glistened in the distance when looking up from Park Square. Several additions and moves have resulted in the library that both locals and visitors know and love today!

The Library of Things

The Berkshire Athenaeum offers so much more than books. The Library of Things is a component that brings collections of everyday things to life. Offering a mix of common items and finds that are quite out of the ordinary, the Library of Things provides access to items such as metal detectors, unusual musical instruments, 3D printers, and more. You'll just need a little help from library staff to access the inventory. Items are scattered throughout the reference desk, the children's library, and the main floor.

The Herman Melville Memorial Room

The Herman Melville Room contains a collection of books written by and about by Herman Melville. Best known as the author of "Moby Dick," Melville lived in an estate called Arrowhead in Pittsfield for a portion of his life, spanning 1850 to 1863. In addition to offering up a great book collection, the Herman Melville Memorial Room also contains items and family portraits from Melville's personal collection. A highlight of the room is the desk that Melville used when writing 1924's "Billy Budd."

Special Collections

The Berkshire Athenaeum features special collections highlighting local history in the Berkshires. Stepping into rare and fascinating archival collections truly feels like stepping back in time. Don't worry about figuring out what to do at the Berkshire Athenaeum once you step into an archive room. The library has created finding aids that make it easy to pinpoint what you want to see. Visitors with a thirst for genealogy will also find abundant resources for researching the past residents of Pittsfield and neighboring Berkshire towns.

Make the Berkshire Athenaeum Part of Your Quaint Pittsfield Visit

While there are many things to do in downtown Pittsfield for people who love shopping, art, music, and history, the Berkshire Athenaeum is always a great starting point for really getting the spirit of the Berkshires in your bones. Extended hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, give you plenty of time to get here. On Saturdays, the library is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.