Flashback on North Street

Last week we wrapped up our November/December 2009 issue (our fifth anniversary edition, at that!), for which I wrote a preview of the forthcoming Festival of Trees at the Berkshire Museum; since the annual holiday exhibit celebrates the big 2-5 this year, it's joined by a nostalgic sister showcase of photography, depicting the city of Pittsfield in the late 1800s (opening November 13).

So the press office sent along some of those historical photos, including this image from 1870 (on the left, in case you can't tell) of the then-Berkshire Life insurance building, which clearly shows the corner of North and West streets bustling with activity.

Well, our Berkshire Living offices are now on the second floor of this downtown behemoth, in Suite 205 (see the yellow box in the second photo from 2009?), and while the interior space is fully modern, it does offer glimpses of its former life: block-like dentil molding along the ceiling and a defunct service elevator that sits next to our printer station.

I can't say that these particular architectural gems were there all the way back in 1870, but they're a constant reminder to us that we're now a part of living history.

Stop in and see for yourself!