Bidwell House Artisan Fair

MONTEREY, Mass. — On Saturday, June 27, the Bidwell House Museum will present the Bidwell Artisan Fair from 11 am to 4 pm.

During this free community event, visitors to the Museum will have the opportunity to see numerous artisans demonstrating crafts as varied as carving chair spindles, bobbin lacemaking, paper making, wool spinning and paper quilling. Many of the artisans will be using historical techniques and creating items in ways similar to New England craftspeople hundreds of years ago. In addition to craft demonstrations, visitors will also be able to see Revolutionary War reenactors demonstrating a "camp kitchen," watch a wigwam building demonstration, take mini-tours of the Museum and hear music from Shinbone Alley. There will also be a scavenger hunt for kids and food for purchase.

Artisans demonstrating that day include:

• Andrew Jack of Andrew Jack Chairs of Sheffield makes and teaches the construction of Windsor chairs using a blend of contemporary and traditional techniques. He will be carving chair spindles and displaying some of his work
• Jill Hawkins from the New England Lace Group will demonstrate the historic craft of bobbin lacemaking, which originated in the 16th century. Learn how lace is made by hand and try it yourself.
• Representatives from the Crane Paper Museum will teach visitors how paper was made in the Berkshires in the 19th century
• Members of the Berkshire Hills and Dales Spinning guild will show visitors how to spin wool
• Nancy Donovan will show you the fine art of paper quilling

On the musical stage:  Alex Harvey is an old-world folklorist who performs street ballads and songs of the sea in a project he calls Shinbone Alley. At his performances listeners learn to celebrate the "haunting intercultural exchange of 18th and 19th century maritime music – whose ingredients travelled from the furthest corners of the globe to be remade and stitched anew by sailors of every shade and shape at port and at sea."

Visitors who have not yet taken a tour of the Museum will have the opportunity to see the inside of the house on a mini-tour of the ground floor, led by members of the Museum Board of Directors. Behind the Museum there will be two historical demonstrations: the building of a wigwam using local materials from the Museum grounds and reenactors using a "camp kitchen," to show visitors how Continental Army soldiers during the American Revolution cooked their meals.

On the present day food front, there will be a couple of options for visitors. The Los Lopez Taco truck will be onsite from 12-2 pm offering delicious Oaxacan street food for lunch. There will also be a separate food table with snacks and drinks available for purchase throughout the event. Water and lemonade will be available for free all afternoon.

Details about the Bidwell Artisan Fair can be found on the Museum website: https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/the-bidwell-artisan-fair/

This event is free. Registration is not required but signing up for a free ticket on the Museum website does help the Museum know how many people to expect. A final schedule of events will be posted on the website the week before the Fair. 

This program is supported in part by grants from Lee Bank and Greylock Federal Credit Union, along with the Monterey, Otis, Sheffield and Tyringham Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Prosperity Way Phase 1 Complete; Berkshire Gas Volunteer Day

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Friday, June 26, 2026

Some 55 Avangrid/Berkshire Gas employees spent the day sawing, hammering and painting at Prosperity Way.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Prosperity Way was founded on the dream of creating an affordable neighborhood where local working families can own a home, build a future, and create lasting memories. Soon, that vision will become reality as homeowners begin moving in.

 

Nearly a year ago, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its three-phase affordable housing project. Now, volunteers are putting the final touches on the six homes and have already begun phase two. 

 

"One of the homeowners is closing on her house tomorrow, so she's moving in this weekend, and then the other family is moving in next week," said Habitat CEO Carolyn Valli. 

 

During Phase 2, seven additional homes will be built, the first modular ranch for that phase has been set, and the stick-built ranch is currently in construction. There are two additional ranches on site, to be set once foundations are cured and two colonial homes are scheduled for delivery on Monday, she said. 

 

Phase 3 will have the construction of another seven homes. Central Berkshire Habitat hopes to finish the project before 2028, dependent on securing sufficient grant funding to bridge the gap between construction costs and affordable sale prices, Valli said. 

 

Energy ran high on Thursday, as more than than 50 employee volunteers from Berkshire Gas, a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., spent the day helping move the project forward through painting, landscaping, and construction work.

 

"We are an energy company in all aspects. We generate wind energy, we have electric utilities and gas utilities, and this crew is demonstrating their energy for a good cause today to support home building for folks who might otherwise never be able to afford a home," said Chris Farrell, Berkshire Gas' communications and government relations manager.