Pittsfield in Berkshire County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Arrowhead
Home of Herman Melville
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 18, 2008
1. Arrowhead Home of Herman Melville Marker - Pittsfield, MA
For thirteen years (1850-1863)
the home of
Herman Melville
1819 — 1891
Mariner and Mystic
Author of Moby Dick (written in Pittsfield)
and other tales of the sea.
“Moby Dick is among the few very
notable literary achievements of
American literature”
Raymond M. Weaver
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.
Location. 42° 24.925′ N, 73° 14.913′ W. Marker is in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County. Marker is on Holmes Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 780 Holmes Road, Pittsfield MA 01201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pittsfield Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Sergeant Edward J. Burns (approx. 1.8 miles away); Roman Walter Sadlowski (approx. 1.8 miles away); Veteran of the Year (approx. 1.8 miles away); Sgt. Glenn R. Allison (approx. 1.8 miles away);
this page online
Regarding Arrowhead. Herman Melville's home, Arrowhead, is now the home of the Berkshire Historical Society
In 1850, Herman Melville moved his family from New York to Pittsfield, seeking reprieve from city life and a quiet place in which to write. He purchased an 18th century farmhouse which he named Arrowhead and completed his most famous novel, Moby Dick. Here in Pittsfield he also penned great works such as Pierre, "The Confidence Man" and "The Piazza Tales." Melville lived, farmed and wrote at Arrowhead for thirteen years, developing many close literary friendships with other Berkshire authors including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Oliver Wendell Holmes, David Dudley Field and the Sedgwick family.
In 1850, Herman, Lizzie, and their baby son Malcolm spent the summer in Pittsfield at the Melvill farm. Herman was inspired by the beauty of the region, particularly the view of Mount Greylock, highest point in Massachusetts, from the farm house window. He was working on a story
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 18, 2008
2. Home of Herman Melville Marker
Melville's home, Arrowhead, is in the background.
The impulsive Melville made the decision to follow Hawthorne’s example and move permanently to the Berkshires to find a quiet solitude in which to write. Melville thought of the beautiful view of Mount Greylock from the Melvill farm, and within a week had purchased the neighboring farm which commanded a similar view. He named the farm “Arrowhead” after the native relics he discovered as he was plowing the fields. The home would remain his for the next 13 years, and there he would write some of his finest works.
The house at Arrowhead had been built in 1780. A rambling old farm house, it became the home for Herman, Lizzie, Malcolm, and three more children, all born at Arrowhead: Stanwix, Bessie, and Fanny. Herman’s mother and sisters Augusta, Helen, and Fanny all moved to Arrowhead as well. Sister Kate and numerous other friends and relations would make their home there as well at various times. It was a busy, chaotic household.
Related markers.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 17, 2008
3. Arrowhead Home of Herman Melville Marker
The marker is beside the road, partially obscured by the vigorously growing planting.
Also see . . . The Berkshire Historical Society at Herman Melville's Arrowhead. Society website homepage (Submitted on June 27, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 17, 2008
4. Arrowhead Home of Herman Melville
Historic American Building Survey
5. Arrowhead Home of Herman Melville
Melvile's Home, Arrowhead, has been documented in the Historic American Builing Survey. The marker is in this photo.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 17, 2008
6. Arrowhead Home of Herman Melville
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 17, 2008
7. Herman Melville's Arrowhead
Melville's former home is now the home to the Berkshire County Historical Society
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 17, 2008
8. Herman Melville House - A National Historic Landmark
Melville's Arrowhead was named a National Historic Landmark in 1963.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 18, 2008
9. National Historic Landmark Plaque
The National Historic Landmark plaque is mounted on a side of the house that faces away from the roadway, on the brick wall between a window and the corner of the building.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 17, 2008
10. Herman Melville's Piazza
The Restoration of Melville's famous piazza (porch) was made possible by the Josephine B. Crane Foundation, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and the Melville Society in 1977. Melville is said to have taken part of his inspiration for Moby-Dick from the view of the mountain from his piazza at Arrowhead in Pittsfield, since its snow-covered profile reminded him of a great white Sperm Whale's back breaking the ocean's surface.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 18, 2008
11. The View From Arrowhead
The view to the east across the meadows from Melville's Arrowhead includes the hulking Mount Greylock, the tallest point in Massachusetts, which is said to have been Melville's inspiration for the Great White Whale.
Library of Congress
12. Herman Melville
Died September 28, 1891 (aged 72) in New York City
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 17, 2008
13. Arrowhead Home of Herman Melville Marker - Detail
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,303 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on June 27, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
