Herman Melville's Arrowhead

06/04/2026

So sorry to say that Bird banding is postponed, but we will let you know when it’s happening again.

06/02/2026

Who doesn’t want to learn about star crossed lovers! What a fascinating subject and this talk by Author Julie Dobrow is Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 PM! There’s still time to sign up…link is in the bio

06/02/2026

We are so proud to have Author Julie Dobrow join us at Arrowhead for a book talk on this fascinating subject… still time to sign up… happening tomorrow , Wednesday at 5:30 PM

This sounds fascinating!! June 3,5:30pm
Author, biographer and Tufts University professor Julie Dobrow’s new book, Love and Loss After Wounded Knee: A Biography of an Extraordinary In*******al Marriage, tells the complicated story of the lives and marriage of Elaine Goodale and Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman. On June 3 at 5:30 pm, the Berkshire County Historical Society hosts Dubrow for a presentation about her book and the fascinating way in which she first discovered this story. Tickets are $5 for BCHS members, $10 for non-members and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org. This event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.

As is the case for many star-crossed lovers, it was amazing that Elaine Goodale and Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohíye S’a), ever met in the first place. She was a white woman from Mount Washington, Massachusetts, who earned early fame as a childhood poet and was frequently mentioned as a “childhood poetic prodigy of the Berkshires.” Elaine travelled west in 1884 to teach Native American children. Charles was a Santee Dakota who had gone to Dartmouth College and the Boston University School of Medicine. Somehow, they both ended up at the Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota in December of 1890 and fell in love at first sight. Three weeks later, they announced their engagement. Then the Wounded Knee Massacre changed everything.

About Julie Dobrow
Julie Dobrow is a writer, professor and researcher whose work focuses both on biography and history, and also on children and media. She teaches at Tufts University. Much of her writing and teaching focuses on telling untold and under-told stories and shining new light on them.

06/01/2026

Hope you'll join us for this morning of wonderment!

Bird banding at Arrowhead allows visitors an up-close opportunity to see birds and watch the process of bird banding.  Bird banding allows researchers the opportunity to study a wide array of … Continue reading "Bird Banding – June 4"

05/28/2026

Need a Melville fix!? You’ve got to visit our shop here at Herman Melville‘s Arrowhead in Herman’s red barn! We’re having so much fun getting new merch for your literary pleasure! Open Thursday through Monday 10-4. Come for a tour while you’re here!

05/28/2026

This sounds fascinating!! June 3,5:30pm
Author, biographer and Tufts University professor Julie Dobrow’s new book, Love and Loss After Wounded Knee: A Biography of an Extraordinary In*******al Marriage, tells the complicated story of the lives and marriage of Elaine Goodale and Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman. On June 3 at 5:30 pm, the Berkshire County Historical Society hosts Dubrow for a presentation about her book and the fascinating way in which she first discovered this story. Tickets are $5 for BCHS members, $10 for non-members and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org. This event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.

As is the case for many star-crossed lovers, it was amazing that Elaine Goodale and Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohíye S’a), ever met in the first place. She was a white woman from Mount Washington, Massachusetts, who earned early fame as a childhood poet and was frequently mentioned as a “childhood poetic prodigy of the Berkshires.” Elaine travelled west in 1884 to teach Native American children. Charles was a Santee Dakota who had gone to Dartmouth College and the Boston University School of Medicine. Somehow, they both ended up at the Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota in December of 1890 and fell in love at first sight. Three weeks later, they announced their engagement. Then the Wounded Knee Massacre changed everything.

About Julie Dobrow
Julie Dobrow is a writer, professor and researcher whose work focuses both on biography and history, and also on children and media. She teaches at Tufts University. Much of her writing and teaching focuses on telling untold and under-told stories and shining new light on them.

05/27/2026

“When we say our new Melville merch ROCKS, we aren’t kidding! Our shop is free to browse for all visitors during regular business hours: Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 4 pm. Stop by the big red barn to grab some special gifts for the dads, grads, and book nerds in your life!

While you’re here, feel free to wander our 45 acres of grounds and trails, where songbirds nest, wildflowers bloom, and all roads lead to that inspiring view of Mt. Greylock. And if you want to find out what inspired Melville to write his masterpiece, come for a tour! We look forward to seeing you!”

05/25/2026

Over a century before Memorial Day was established, the First National Decoration Day, May 30, 1868, was created to honor all Civil War soldiers who had died in battle.

According to Pittsfield historian Edward Boltwood (1870-1924), a large crowd of townsfolk met at the City’s cemetery on May 31, 1868, to lay flowers on the soldiers’ graves: the act that gave the day its name. At the grave of Capt. William W. Rockwell (1839-1863), flowers were laid and a brief address was made by Pittsfield’s Gen. Henry S. Briggs (1824-1887).

Captain Rockwell, son of prominent Pittsfield Republican legislator and judge Julius Rockwell (1805-1888), had enlisted in the 8th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. At the end of the three-month enlistment period, Rockwell enlisted in the 31st Massachusetts Infantry. While participating in the Union occupation of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the young officer, now a captain, contracted typhoid fever and died on December 3, 1863. Rockwell left behind hundreds of letters, manuscripts, and records of his military adventures. His papers, the majority of which are held in a private collection, have been described as the most detailed first-hand accounts by any Pittsfield Civil War soldier. His memory was institutionalized when the Grand Army of the Republic Veterans formally chose the name W.W. Rockwell Post 125, G.A.R.

In 1971, Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day to honor all of America’s fallen heroes, and the date was fixed as the last Monday in May, creating a three-day weekend. Veterans’ graves are still decorated with flowers and flags on this day.

Images:

Postcard, Entrance to Pittsfield Cemetery, postmarked May 16, 1913.

Members of the Rockwell Post 125, G.A.R., stand in front of the Berkshire Museum, circa 1910. Detail of photograph by Matthew H. Powell (1869-1922), gift of William Cramer.

A portion of the collection sold by Poulin Auctions in November 2024, featuring several copies of a portrait of William Walker Rockwell (1839-1863). Image from poulinauctions.com.

Rockwell’s grave in Pittsfield Cemetery. Image from findagrave.com.

05/21/2026

MELVILLE IN DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD. Herman Melville didn’t stay holed up in his study at Arrowhead when he lived in Pittsfield. He went to the center of town frequently, attended church there and lived off South Street for one year. On June 6 at 11 am join author and historian John Dickson for an engaging walk around downtown and check out the places around Park Square that Melville frequented and used in his writing. This approximately ninety-minute walk begins at the Berkshire Athenaeum, Wendell Avenue. Tickets are $15 for BCHS members, $20 for non-members and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org. This event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.

About John Dickson
John Dickson serves as Chair of the Pittsfield Historical Commission and is a board member of the Berkshire County Historical Society. His most recent book, Herman Melville in the Berkshires, reveals the connections between Melville’s writing and the beauty of the Berkshire landscape that inspired him.