Arrowhead curator Will Garrison is the new executive director of the Berkshire Historical Society.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Arrowhead curator Will Garrison has taken over administration of the Berkshire Historical Society at Herman Melville's historic home, succeeding newly retired Executive Director Betsy Sherman.  

 

"As executive director, I look forward to working with the amazing volunteers and staff of the Berkshire Historical Society, and with other cultural organizations," Garrison told iBerkshires.

 

Garrison has been curator for the historic society and museum for four years, and is newly appointed by its board to follow Sherman, who assumed the position in 2008 after a number of years on its board.

 

"Four years ago, Betsy Sherman hired me as curator of the Berkshire Historical Society. She handed me a set of keys, assigned me a brand-new volunteer, and asked me to facilitate the installation of an exhibit in the small barn," recalled Garrison. "And that was just the first day. Ever since, it has been an exciting ride at Berkshire Historical Society."

 

Previously he spent 10 years as Western Region historic resources manager for the Trustees of Reservations, as well as eight as collections manager for Historic Deerfield. Since joining the administration of Arrowhead, he has also served a term as chairman of the Pittsfield Historical Commission.

 

The transition in leadership comes amidst a period of changes in the half-century old educational nonprofit.

 

"We've become a more vital organization with the farm, and with our winter exhibits," according to J. Peter Bergman, director of communications and community relations. "We are currently looking at expanding our board of directors to also include a younger element."

 

The return of the property to include a small farm operation reminiscent of the estate in Melville's day occurred in early 2014, and the added attraction has proved a boon for the venue over the past two summer seasons. This new agricultural component to the museum and the programming it has spawned were the brainchild of Pittsfield resident Kristin Laney, who approached Arrowhead and obtained grant funding for it after her own permit application to keep chickens at her home residence was turned down by the city's Zoning Board of Appeals.

 

Inconsistent permitting approval and general confusion surrounding the city's process for allowing residential chickens has been a recurring stumbling block in local bureaucracy in recent years, and Laney is now looking to help offer information to locals looking for clarification on this thorny subject.

 

The museum will hold a two-hour seminar activity on raising backyard chickens on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m.

 

"She's discovered a variety of ways to make this possible for families and neighborhoods, and she's going to to talk about that," said Bergman.  

 

Other upcoming events at Arrowhead include a Polynesian Luau on Saturday, Sept. 12, a nod to Melville's South Sea exploits, featuring a pig roast, ukulele players and dancing girls, from 6 to 10 p.m.

 

The following weekend will see the return of its annual Tag Sale & Craft Fair, on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

"Arrowhead is just part of the story – it serves as the headquarters of the Berkshire Historical Society, housing thousands of artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs," said Garrison. "The collections represent the memories of Berkshire County citizens. I look forward to using the collections in exhibits and programs to explore our shared history."