Berkshire Museum — Attraction in Pittsfield

It wasn't a great trip at all. I traveled there with 3 individuals with developmental disabilities from out of state, so the parking was the 1st issue we encountered. Then once we were in the building everything was fine until one of my clients stated that we were actually being followed by the museums staff and security which made her feel very uncomfortable. So at that point we tried to view the rest of the exibits as fast as possible so we could just get out of the establishment. Upon returning to the resort in which we were saying my client cries and said she doesn't ever want to return to Berkshire museum because she felt like she was being discriminated against for her disability. In my opinion it was very unprofessional for the staff to follow us as they did because we hadn't done anything against the museums policies and I too felt discrimated against. The staff of the museum then proceeded to call my job and tell them I was mistreating my clients and rushed them through the museum. What the museum staff didnt know is that 2 of the 3 clients were very high functioning and were able to speak to personnel at my job and explain not only did we have dinner reservations shortly after what was supposed to been a great visit to the museum but, they didnt feel comfortable there. I will never go there again and I suggest that anyone of a minority or having a disability do not travel there either, this was not at all a...

Half the museum seems to be closed for changing exhibits. Wish that was posted somewhere. Natural science all closed and other places closed off. Aquarium and reptiles exhibit made me sad. They had such small cages with sparse plastic plants and mulch for living space. Some fish and reptiles were not in their glass cages - died? Out for vet appointments? We’ll never know. The blue tongued skink had a sore on its mouth it kept scraping against the ceramic bowl as it marched constantly in circles around its cage. We were pretty sure one of the sea horses was dead as we did not see it move or breathe every time I came back- I was spellbound just watching the others writhing on the floor of their aquarium- they were twitching and moving erratically around the aquarium or laying on the gravel floor I could have done without seeing all of this. The mummy exhibit was the most interesting of anything in the art exhibit. It seems like a building this huge and modern looking could offer so much more. The third? Floor was just a huge empty space of nothing. A couple pieces of furniture w not much information about them. Strangely there is one huge dinosaur statue on the front lawn not native to the area but none others inside. Indicating promise of something interesting inside but...

The museum had a very thoughtful exhibit called She Shapes History. I met a lot of the early activists that I had never even heard of before. In those days the technology of the day was the bicycle.  It was a new invention and gave women unprecedented freedom of movement.

The determined women who have gone before us, and the occassional man who joined in, persevered against all odds and opposition ranging from women who opposed them to the men in power. There were women who refused to vote even after that battle was grudgingly won.

Janet Rankin was a special find. She was addressing audiences, running for elected office  and making speeches in 1917. In 1968 she led a march against the Viet Nam war.

We have a similar and perhaps no less difficult fight before us now. They faced many difficulties but did not have to deal with massive corporations. People in those days turned out for speeches and debates. Each time brings its own problems and its own solutions.

I just thought you might like to see some pictures of our political ancestors. I really felt like I was hanging out with them for the afternoon.

The women in the picture were on the cover of a magazine called the Suffragette.  It sold for a nickel a copy. Not exactly...