Pittsfield in Berkshire County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Berkshire Athenaeum
United for Libraries
| | Literary Landmarks Register | |
Herman Melville found inspiration in the Berkshires: Mount Greylock; a walk up Monument Mountain; the great Pittsfield Elm. Local ties, especially befriending Nathaniel Hawthorne, shaped his life and writing. Pittsfield was Melville's home from 1850 to 1863, his most prolific time as a writer, most notably producing Moby-Dick. Arrowhead, his home in Pittsfield, is preserved as a museum and houses the Berkshire County Historical Society. This Literary Landmark recognizes the significant Melville collection at the Berkshire Athenaeum.
Erected 2019 by The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum; The Trustees of the Berkshire Athenaeum; The Berkshire County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Literary Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 42° 26.871′ N, 73° 15.117′ W. Marker is in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County. It is on Wendell Avenue just south of East Street (U.S. 7), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Berkshires. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Francis Joseph Quirico Court Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); Peace Party House (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Shaw Briggs (within shouting distance of this marker); Splitter (within shouting distance of this marker); Honorable Francis Joseph Quirico (within shouting distance of this marker); Elkanah Watson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mr. and Mrs. John Chandler Williams (about 300 feet away); Berkshire County Vietnam War Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsfield.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
