Historical Society Plans Moby-Dick Read-A-Thon at Arrowhead

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire County Historical Society is gearing up for a community read-a-thon at Arrowhead, the Pittsfield farmhouse where Herman Melville wrote "Moby-Dick," to mark the 175th anniversary of the novel's publication.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

Arrowhead, Melville's former home and now the Historical Society's headquarters on Holmes Road, will serve as the centerpiece for the anniversary event, drawing attention back to Pittsfield's most famous literary claim: Melville penned his whaling epic on the property in the 1850s, reportedly inspired by the view of Mount Greylock from his study window. Organizers are billing the read-a-thon as a way for residents and Melville fans to engage directly with the text at the site where it was written.

Pittsfield's Polish community, meanwhile, is preparing for its annual summer picnic on Sunday, July 19. The event traditionally pairs a Polish Mass with a Polish food spread, and this year's picnic will again feature the Eddie Forman Orchestra playing polka music, continuing a long-running local tradition.