Ghost Tour Fundraiser Set for Berkshire Historical Society

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, April 17, Robert Oakes, ghost tour guide and author of "Ghosts of the Berkshires," will team up with paranormal investigator Drew Babineau, owner of The Haunted Raven, to offer a combined ghost tour and paranormal investigation of the Country Club of Pittsfield, hosted by the Berkshire County Historical Society. 
 
The program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets for this three-hour combined ghost tour and investigation are $50 per person and may be purchased by using the "BOOK NOW" button at berkshirehistory.org. A portion of the proceeds will benefit BCHS. 
 
Be advised that there will be several levels of stairs to climb in dim lighting. Also, this event is not intended for children under 12 years old. For more information, visit berkshirehistory.org, robertoakes.net, hauntedraven.com, or call (413) 442-1793.
 
At the start of the evening, Oakes will lead a walk by flashlight through this historic property, sharing accounts of alleged spirit sightings and other strange encounters reported by those who work there.  Babineau will then guide guests through an active paranormal investigation, using devices and methods meant to make contact with the spirits and document their presence, stated a press release. At the close of the evening, guests will gather in the Club's barroom to share stories of their experiences and discuss any findings. Drinks will be available for purchase. 
 
According to a press release:
 
Once known as Broadhall, the Country Club of Pittsfield's clubhouse is one of the oldest properties in Pittsfield with a long and storied past. During the nineteenth century, it was the home of writer Sarah Morewood, friend to Herman Melville. When the Moby-Dick author lived just next door at Arrowhead, he often stopped by to visit Mrs. Morewood, and some say he may still be calling. Indeed, both Melville's ghost and that of Mrs. Morewood, as well as others yet unidentified, are said to haunt the house. Many have visited the property throughout its long history, including Alexander Hamilton, President John Tyler, famous literati, and formerly enslaved people. And many have died there, including Mrs. Morewood, as well as seventeen victims of a 1910 ice house explosion, described as the worst disaster in Pittsfield history.
 
Robert Oakes writes books about ghosts and leads tours in reported haunted places. Drew Babineau, owner of The Haunted Raven, is a photographer and paranormal investigator.
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Pittsfield School Building Committee OKs PHS Statement of Interest

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High, the city's oldest school, will be the subject of the next funding request to the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

During a special meeting on Monday, the School Building Needs Commission voted to move forward with a statement of interest. The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved submitting a PHS statement of interest.

Mayor Peter Marchetti said that if they don't get in the queue, they could be talking an eight-year wait rather than a four-year wait. The deadline for submission is April 17. 

"To underscore the discussion today, which would be one of many by multiple bodies, any action taken today by us is not a funding commitment, is not a project commitment. It's a concept commitment," Finance Director Matthew Kerwood said. 

Focus areas include the renovation and modernization of the heating system and the replacement or addition to obsolete buildings for educational offerings. 

The school was built in 1931 and is about 163,600 square feet. It was renovated in 1975 to add nearly 40,000 square feet, including the theater and gym, the Moynihan Field House. 

Vocational spaces have been added and upgraded over the years, and laboratories have been improved, along with periodic updates to building elements. Security systems were modernized, and a couple of years ago, the school's three inefficient, original-to-the-building boilers were replaced

"It's a 95-year-old school, and there are things that are going to come up with a 95-year-old school," Commissioner Brendan Sheran said while giving a presentation. 

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