Berkshire Athenaeum

[1] Thomas Allen joined a group of investors in purchasing the land in 1868 on Park Square for an eventual library building.

1964 - Pittsfield Historical Commission formed 1975 - The Pittsfield Public Library moves to its current location 1976 - State of Massachusetts takes ownership, a critical step in saving the building[3] 1980 - The original 1876 building opens after renovations and houses the Berkshire County Probate & Family Courts and the Middle District Registry of Deeds.

2014 - $4.3 million eighteen-month preservation project, "Life, Safety, Exterior & Accessibility Improvement," to stabilize bulging masonry on front façade Designed by New York architect William Appleton Potter, the original Berkshire Athenaeum building was erected in 1874-1876 as a gift from railway magnate and native son Thomas Allen.

Genealogy resources include 71,000 reels of film, books, and finding aids, which were formerly held by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Pittsfield facility.

In addition, the collection showcases biographies and critical studies works produced by Melville scholars.

The Herman Melville Memorial Room was mainly planned and funded by Dr. Henry Murray of Harvard University.