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Revolution-related events happening in the Berkshires not only unwrap details about the Henry Knox Trail, but shed light on the similarities between our forefathers and today’ s independent citizens who raise their voices against injustices.
In addition to Knox Trail celebrations, there are many ways to become aware of the Berkshire’ s revolutionary history. Fourth of July parades up and down the county are designed to inspire and get us in the patriotic spirit. The Pittsfield Parade is worth the trip from anywhere with original floats and commanding music, and parade day in Williamstown includes a community barbeque and Frederick Douglass reading the Declaration of Independence. In July and August, Berkshire Museum’ s American Revolution MoMU( Museum Mobile Unit) will be at Pittsfield’ s Berkshire Athenaeum, an exhibit that includes General Knox’ s embroidered vest, a replica of a colonial era beer flagon found on the grounds of the Museum, and maps of the Knox Trail. You may discover that you have been closer than you think to the actual path of General Knox! To walk the walk, join American Revolution reenactor Tim Abbott as he leads Revolutionary Pittsfield walking tours on July 12 and August 30; the tours start at the Athenaeum at 11 a. m.
To revisit history by a more traditional route, sign up for weekly classes with Berkshire OLLI( Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) Rev250 online programming. Courses include The American Revolution in the South: Where the War Was Won( July 7 to August 11) and The Pursuit of Happiness: Where Are We Now?( July 8 to August 12).
Our road to independence also has caught the attention of filmmakers. On August 14, the Otis Historical Society presents a video about the Knox Trail, which runs through Otis, by local playwright Jessica Provenz. The video, which includes drone footage of the trail, will be shown at the Monterey Library, after which Provenz and videographer Joshua Briggs will speak about the making of the film. Local historian Tom Ragusa, who leads walks on the Knox Trail in Otis, will recount stories from the trail.
We are fortunate in the Berkshires to be an hour’ s drive from The Palace Theater in Albany, where clips of the landmark documentary The American Revolution by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt will be shown on September 10, along with a discussion by the filmmakers. The 12-hour, six-part documentary will premiere on PBS starting on November 16.( See page 90 for an interview with Burns.)
To get closer to the down-and-dirty action of The Noble Trail of Artillery, be at Herman Melville’ s Arrowhead in Pittsfield on September 27, when costumed educators, oxen, and a non-firing cannon from Fort Ticonderoga presents a faithful historical vignette of how Knox made the famous journey. More live action happens a week later on October
88 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE August July 2025 2025