This week in our continuing series on the Berkshires, we take you to the grounds of Herman Melville’s home, Arrowhead, located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (780 Holmes Road). Built in the 1780s by Captain David Bush, this rambling farmhouse also served as a tavern along the busy road between Pittsfield and Lenox until 1844.

After passing through several tenants during John Brewster’s ownership, who used it as a rental property, in September 1850, the house, barns, and 160 acres were sold to Herman Melville. Melville lived there until 1863.

It was here, looking out at the mountains, that nineteenth century author, Herman Melville found inspiration for his books. Many credit Mount Greylock being covered in snow, as the inspiration for Melville’s iconic character, the great white whale, Moby Dick.

On the day we visited, it is easy to see how the storm clouds could become the sea, and the mountains a formidable whale, in Melville’s creative mind.

Today dogs are welcome to stroll the field trails, as Melville’s beloved Newfoundland dog did over a century ago….

….through forest…

…to the historic barn built in the 1840s, which houses the information center and gift shop for Arrowhead, the name Melville gave the house after finding an arrowhead on the property.

Dogs are allowed on-leash to enjoy the trails at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead. However, guided house tours are for humans only. If you would like to plan a visit, please go to BerkshiresHistory.org for more information.

If you’re in the Berkshires looking for something to do tomorrow, on August 1, 2024 is the Melville Symposium, celebrating the birthday of the author, including the annual Moby Dick read-a-thon, where volunteers gather to take turns reading passages of what is considered to be one of the greatest American novels.