USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > The history of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 1916-1955 > Part 41
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During World War I, club members were outstanding in their support of the armed services, the Boston Post saying that the club had the highest percentage of enlistments of any such organization in the country, and the Berkshire Eagle reporting that 95 per cent of the original membership was in service.
In the early 1920s the club was the motivating force behind the Shire City Orchestra. Led by J. Stallman Taylor, the orches- tra became one of the most popular dance bands in the county and surrounding area. Among its members were Ernest M. Andrews and Clifford J. Heather, who later became prominent in "big-time" bands.
The club had over 200 members at its peak, but for economic reasons it disbanded in 1926, many of the members then affiliat- ing with the Park Club. The last reunion was held in 1934 at the Alford Brook Club, with 45 former members present.
Art League
The Pittsfield Art League was born in 1923 when a small group met at the home of George A. Newman, whose wife was a painter and later president of the League. The purpose of the organization was to create a wider interest in and greater ap- preciation of the fine arts. The League's first president was Archibald K. Sloper.
The group arranged a show early in 1924 in a room above the Chamberlain store on South Street. Later that year, it staged its first annual exhibition, at the Berkshire Museum,
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where the yearly exhibitions have since been held, usually in September.
In 1952, under the direction of its president, Mrs. Clifford G. Lloyd, the League sponsored its first annual sidewalk sale of paintings on three Saturdays during August on the lawn of the Berkshire Museum. This project has created interest in and promoted the buying of works of art. The League has 135 members.
Monday Evening Club
The Monday Evening Club, organized in 1869, celebrated the 87th anniversary of its founding in November 1955. A social and literary club since its inception, it holds meetings every year from the fall to early spring for the enjoyment of its members. After each dinner meeting, a member reads a paper on a topic selected by himself, while another serves as host- assignments being rotated from year to year.
Many prominent Pittsfieldians have belonged to the club. Membership has not varied since the beginning, averaging about twenty. The present oldest member is Elmer G. Bridg- ham, retired principal of Pomeroy School.
Thursday Evening Club
The Thursday Evening Club was founded in 1919 by Dr. Ralph D. Head. Of the charter members, two remain-Dr. Head and Frederick M. Myers. The group, which has some twenty members, meets twice a month from November through March in the homes of one or another of its members. At each meeting, a member reads a paper on a subject of his choice. Topics have covered a wide range of interest. As many mem- bers have been men of the General Electric Company, a great many papers have dealt with science in general and GE indus- trial developments in particular.
Wednesday Morning Club
A distinguished Pittsfield institution for 70 years, the Wednesday Morning Club disbanded in 1949 after a notable
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career in quickening the intellectual life of its members and the community. Founded in 1879 by Anna L. Dawes, daughter of U. S. Senator Henry L. Dawes of Pittsfield, the club was formed to hear prominent speakers on public affairs, inter- national relations, and the arts, and to discuss papers on similar topics prepared by its members.
It was often said that "Miss Dawes is the Wednesday Morn- ing Club." The statement was not greatly exaggerated. For 60 years, until her death in 1938, Anna Dawes was president of her organization, delighting the members by her learning, her wit, and her personal charm. An author and speaker of distinc- tion, Miss Dawes enjoyed a wide acquaintance among the na- tion's famous men and women. During her regime, she per- suaded such outstanding people as President Woodrow Wilson, Dr. Harry A. Garfield, other college presidents, numerous Cab- inet members, and many prominent men of letters to address the club. Each speaker came as a personal favor to Miss Dawes, his recompense being a huge bouquet of roses presented after his talk.
At the 50th anniversary celebration in 1929, a portrait of Miss Dawes by Mrs. William Chase of Boston was given to the Berkshire Museum by Mrs. Augustus McK. Gifford, Pittsfield poetess. In 1940, the club established as a memorial the Anna L. Dawes Alcove at the Berkshire Athenaeum, devoted to books for teenagers.
For many years, meetings were held in the First Congrega- tional Church parish house, later being transferred to the Museum. To fit the schedules of speakers, the club often met on other days than Wednesday, which led Miss Dawes to quip, "The Wednesday Morning Club is so called because it meets on Tuesdays."
Organized by 126 charter members, mainly from prominent families, the club numbered 300 when it dissolved "because it could not find a president." A casualty of the modern age of television and radio, the Wednesday Morning Club seemed to its devotees as durable a Pittsfield institution as the Soldiers'
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Monument in Park Square, and the club's older members still deplore its passing.
Fortnightly Club
The Fortnightly Club for women was founded early in 1897 by Mrs. Isaac C. Smart, wife of the pastor of the South Congre- gational Church. Its membership was not limited to parishioners of the church. The club had as its aim the discussion of current events, education, literature, history, travel, art, and music. By 1924, the club had some 235 members.
Since that time, Mrs. Albert W. Patten has been president. The speakers, musicians, and artists appearing at the club's meetings have been eminent in their respective fields. The Fort- nightly Club has regularly contributed to the Red Cross, the Community Fund, the South Church, the South Church Flower Fund, the Seamen's Friend Society of Boston, and other worthy causes.
Knights of Columbus
The local organization of the Knights of Columbus-Rabida Council, No. 103-was established in 1894, with William Turtle as the first Grand Knight. In the beginning, meetings were held in the Edward H. Cullen Department Store, now the Textile Store on North Street. Rooms were later acquired in the Merrill Building, known today as the Farrell Sweeney Building, on North Street. By 1917, the Council had so grown that it required more ample quarters, taking its present spacious rooms in the Lloyd Building opposite St. Joseph's Church.
During World War I, 149 members of the Council served in the armed forces; three of them lost their lives during the con- flict. The order collected several thousand dollars for the War Chest under the direction of Grand Knight Robert F. Stanton.
In 1930, under the leadership of William J. Joyce, the Coun- cil itself made substantial contributions to the building of St. Luke's Hospital and persuaded the State Council to donate $5,000 to the institution and to maintain a bed in the hospital
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for use of Knights of Columbus of Berkshire County. Dr. Ed- ward J. Callahan has long been a trustee of this fund.
Rabida Council is active in community, civic, and philan- thropic causes. It has given support to the Boys' Club for work at Camp Russell, to the Father Mathew Catholic Youth Center, and to the Brightside Orphanage in Springfield.
It annually awards the St. James Memorial Medal to the outstanding student-athlete at St. Joseph's Catholic Central High School and presents medals to the foremost students of Christian doctrine in the local parochial schools. It gives cash awards annually to graduates of the Pittsfield High School and St. Joseph's High School for excellence in the study of Ameri- can history.
The Bishop Conaty Fourth Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus, made up of members of the Berkshire County councils, was instrumental in forming the colorful Honor Guard that attends the Bishop of Springfield and other Catholic church dignitaries on their visits to Pittsfield.
American Legion
Desiring to form an organization "to keep alive the princi- ples for which they had fought," some World War I veterans called a caucus in St. Louis in May 1919. Jay C. Rosenfeld rep- resented Pittsfield at this caucus, out of which grew the Ameri- can Legion.
Soon after Rosenfeld's return home, 15 local veterans met in the State Armory and signed a petition requesting an Ameri- can Legion charter. William H. Eaton was named temporary commander; and Reginald M. Ames, temporary secretary.
The charter was granted, and the first regular meeting of Pittsfield Post #68 was held in the State Armory on August 6, 1919. At this meeting, 57 new members were admitted. Mem- bership increased rapidly during the next few years until it reached a total of approximately 600. The Post's first perma- nent officers were Dr. Harry J. Tate as commander; Alexander C. Jasperson, vice commander; Jay C. Rosenfeld, adjutant; and Charles F. Reid, finance officer.
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The Post held its meetings in the Armory until early in 1920, when rooms were secured in the Lloyd Block on North Street, opposite St. Joseph's Church. Post headquarters remained there until 1950 when the White Tree Inn on Wendell Avenue was purchased as permanent quarters. Membership in the Post grew rapidly after World War II. In 1955, it totalled almost 1,800. From the beginning, Post #68 has been active in patriotic affairs and in sponsoring programs of value to the community.
Offshoots of the organization are the American Legion Aux- iliary and the "40 & 8." The Auxiliary, made up of mothers, wives, and sisters of Post members, has been of great service to disabled veterans. The "40 & 8"-the often boisterous "playground" of the Legion-has done generous work with its child welfare program.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Henry Trudeau Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has headquarters on Bradford Street. The local VFW, like the members of the Legion, interest themselves in veterans' prob- lems and in patriotic and community affairs.
Vasa Order
Ankaret Lodge #79, Vasa Order of America, was organized in Pittsfield in February 1905 by a group of 17 Swedish men and women. The Vasa Order assists its members in sickness and distress, and strives to keep alive the memory of the achieve- ments and traditions of Sweden. The order has lodges through- out the United States, Canada, and Sweden. Membership is open to anyone of Swedish descent.
The highest membership in Ankaret Lodge was 73 in 1925. During the depression years, many of the members left Pitts- field and dropped their membership. Of the charter members, two are still living-Mr. and Mrs. Herman Miller of Troy, New York. One of the charter members was Ernst O. Engstrom, whose place of business was the Engstrom Pharmacy on North Street. Eric G. Bergstrom, who served as secretary for 18 years, organized a Swedish male chorus which sang on many occa-
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sions. Three Lodge members served in World War II, as did many sons of members.
Syrian-Lebanese-American Club
In 1912, a small group of immigrants from the Middle East, led by Louis Habib, formed an organization that was chartered three years later as the Syrian-American Club. In 1948 it became the Syrian-Lebanese-American Club. The organization was in- strumental in founding what is now the Syrian-Lebanese-Ameri- can Federation of the Eastern States. Surviving members of the original club still resident in Pittsfield are Solomon H. Haddad and William K. George. At the end of 1955, the organization had 45 members.
A group of five girls, daughters of members, formed a social and charitable order in 1930, called the Daughters of Lebanon. Their program is similar to that of the parent organization.
Polish Falcons
Nest 580 of the Polish Falcons of America was founded in Pittsfield in 1914 when three young men-John Dec, John Ulma, and Witold Bylina-met at a social gathering and dis- covered that they had all been members of the Polish Falcons in their homeland. Deciding to organize a Falcon nest in the city, they interested eight more men in becoming charter mem- bers. Meetings were held on Sundays in a hall on Peck's Road, and on a field near Onota Lake for military drill. With mem- bership steadily growing, the Falcons built their own quarters on Bel Air Avenue in 1916. At this time, women were first admitted to the society.
During World War I, eight local Falcons joined the Polish army of General Joseph Hallera. Many more of them served in the American armed forces. In 1921, a theatre group was or- ganized, and proceeds from the plays that were presented went toward meeting the needs of Polish-American youth in the area.
The society became a fraternal insurance organization in 1926, having headquarters in Pittsburgh. During the 1930s, a
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drum and bugle corps, and boys' and girls' basketball and base- ball teams were organized. The organization celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1939 with a district convention, and a track and field meet, which attracted 6,000 people of Polish descent to the city for the occasion.
In 1940, with Alexander Szymanski as president, the Falcons doubled the capacity of their headquarters on Bel Air Avenue. The outbreak of World War II reduced the attendance at youth classes as many of the younger men joined the colors. More than fifty served in the armed forces during the conflict. As the war drew to a close, efforts were made to renew interest in youth activities. To raise funds for the purpose, the recording secre- tary, Mrs. Catherine Mierzejewski, initiated the project of spon- soring Saturday night public dances. They were successful and have continued, providing funds for carrying on the work of gymnasium and dance groups.
Other Nationality Groups
Other nationality groups organized in the city include the Clan MacInnes, Franco-American Club, Order of Ahepa (Greek), Portuguese-American Club, Russian Brotherhood Lodge, Sons of Italy, and Turn Verein Germania.
Lakewood Civic Association
Organized in 1947 with Gabriel Virgilio as its first president, the Lakewood Civic Association aims to promote the well-being of its neighborhood. Since its founding, the Association has been able through its own efforts and the cooperation of city and state agencies to help bring about a number of improve- ments-better street lighting, more traffic lights, resurfacing of many streets, improved mail service, the development of a new city park opposite Hibbard School, opening of the Hibbard School auditorium as the Hibbard Community Center, extension of sidewalks, and having the Commonwealth declare Goodrich Pond a "great pond"' and open to public use.
The Association has also sponsored a Camp Fire Girls unit, teams in the Parks Department baseball leagues, softball and
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basketball teams for girls, a Christmas party for children of members, and parties twice a year for members and their friends. It has entered floats in the traditional Mardi Gras, Hal- loween, and Fourth of July parades, winning many first prizes.
Jewish Community Council and Center
The Jewish Community Council of Pittsfield, now affiliated with the National Jewish Welfare Board, the Pittsfield Com- munity Council and the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, was founded in 1925 for the purpose of set- ting up facilities for a Hebrew School and an assembly hall for adults. It was first known as the Hebrew Alliance and had headquarters on Robbins Avenue.
In 1936, the Alliance was reorganized as the Jewish Com- munity Center, under the direction of Howard Udel. Special programs for youths and adults were begun, conducted in var- ious rented quarters because the building on Robbins Avenue had been outgrown. A rabbi was engaged to supervise the Center, instruct in the Hebrew School, and lead the Congrega- tion Knesses Israel.
Gershon Gelbart served as the first professional director of the Jewish Community Center from 1940 to 1943, when he was succeeded by Leon Mohill, who served until 1945. Meantime, in 1944, the Center had acquired its present site at 235 East Street. The Hebrew School was moved there in 1945, and the Robbins Avenue property was sold.
In 1951, the Jewish Community Center was reorganized and its responsibilities taken over by the Jewish Community Council. In the same year, a brick structure was erected on the Coogan property on East Street. The new building housed both the Jewish Community Center and the Hebrew School. The first president of the Jewish Community Council was Dr. David B. Greengold, with Howard Udel as acting executive director. Since 1953 Herman Shukovsky has been executive director.
The purpose of the Jewish Community Center is to provide informal education and recreational, cultural, social, and ath- letic activities for all members of its community.
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Automobile Club of Berkshire County
Organized in 1920 as a unit of the American Automobile Association, the Automobile Club of Berkshire County was established to promote good roads, safety, and better legislation for motorists. The first officers were W. Murray Crane, honor- ary president; George W. Bailey, president; Leo H. Traver, Frederick M. Myers, and James R. Savery, vice presidents; Louis A. Merchant, treasurer; Clarence J. Biladeau, executive secre- tary. Biladeau served until his death in 1939, being succeeded in 1940 by Eugene E. Donnelly, the present executive secretary.
The club was the first organization to attempt the task of keeping the Lebanon Mountain road open all winter, with groups of members volunteering for shoveling snow on Sun- days. Instrumental in securing a local branch office of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, the club also aided in establishing the state police force. An important contribution to saving lives and preventing injuries was sponsorship of schoolboy safety patrols to guard children at all school cross- ings, a program that has continued since 1928.
A personal accident insurance policy, emergency road service, touring information, and bail bond service are available to all members. The club's 1955 enrollment was 9,000, representing 21 per cent of the registered car owners in Berkshire County --- the largest percentage for any automobile club in New England.
Country Club of Pittsfield
Formed in 1897 by men interested in learning the then "new" game of golf, the Country Club of Pittsfield first rented sufficient land for a 9-hole course southwest of the junction of Dawes Avenue and Holmes Road. In 1899, the club bought 230 acres on lower South Street, known as the Morewood estate. On the site was located Broadhall, the mansion built by Henry Van Schaack in 1781, later the home of Elkanah Watson, Thomas Melville, and John R. Morewood. Here, in 1833, Her- man Melville first knew Pittsfield when he visited his uncle, who farmed a large part of the present golf course. Broadhall
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was also noted as the summer boarding house where Long- fellow, Hawthorne, and Melville passed Berkshire vacations.
The golf course was expanded in 1915 to 18 holes. Sports facilities have been increased by three tennis courts and a squash doubles court, with provision for swimming, boating, and fish- ing at Morewood Lake. Winter sports include ice and fancy skating, and hockey. The club has a membership of 600.
Berkshire Hills Country Club
The Berkshire Hills Country Club was formed late in 1924. Some of its incorporators were members of the Pittsfield Home- stead Company, which had purchased hundreds of acres of land from the old Allen Farm for the purpose of encouraging new industry, the building of new homes, and a general improve- ment of the surrounding area. The club purchased 120 acres of land for $25,000 from the Pittsfield Homestead Company-a tract bounded by Benedict Road and Crane Avenue, the remain- ing bounds to be determined by the buyer and seller. A. W. Tillinghast, noted New York golf course architect, was em- ployed to lay out the golf course.
On this active farm land, there was no problem in raising lush turf. The big problem was in shaping the land contours to satisfactory teeing and putting surfaces. This was before the days of the bulldozer, belly loader, and other power machines and many laborious months were spent with plow, horse and scoop shovel, and hand labor before results began to be ap- parent.
A picturesque and practical clubhouse was completed in 1927. Members consisted of the 306 founders of the club. Tom Peters was the first golf professional and Tom Nocker, the first greenskeeper.
Golf in the first few years was somewhat sketchy. But mem- bers enjoyed what they called cross-country golf-passing those holes under construction, and playing those nearly completed- some more than once-to finish an 18-hole game. In 1928, the 18-hole course was opened and since has been a garden spot of the area.
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The clubhouse burned to the ground in March 1940. To re- place the old building a rambling country style house was com- pleted by midsummer under the direction of Andrew M. Snodgrass and his building committee. During the post-war period, the clubhouse has been doubled in size and furnished modernistically, with new lockers and showers.
Additional land has been acquired. The golf course has been improved with new greens, better landscaping, tree planting and other projects. Membership totals approximately 500.
Pontoosuc Lake Country Club
Before the organization of the Pontoosuc Lake Country Club in 1927, golf was played by members of the Pittsfield Boat Club on a tract of land on the west shore of Pontoosuc Lake. Freeman M. Miller of the Boat Club was the leader of the original group of golf enthusiasts. In 1921, the directors of the Boat Club bought the Hodecker tract on the west shore and organized the Pontoosuc Lake Country Club, with Gilbert M. Brewer as first president. The Pontoosuc Club's course of 18 holes has three of the longest holes (par 5) in New England.
At the time of organization the club had ten members. Pres- ent membership is about 300. The club has had the same pro- fessional since its founding-Charles D. (Chick) Moxon, now in his 36th year of service, having started as pro of the early club formed by the Boat Club group.
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Appendix
Municipal officers since Pittsfield's incorporation as a city in 1891, compiled by John J. Fitzgerald, City Clerk.
Note: The following additional lists, omitted because of space limitations, are on file at the Reference Department of the Berkshire Athenaeum:
Board of Aldermen
(1891-1933)
Common Council
(1891-1933)
City Council
(1934-1955)
Boards
Assessors
(1891-1955)
Health
(1891-1933)
Overseers of the Poor
(1891-1924)
Park Commission
(1913-1955)
Public Welfare
(1925-1933)
Public Works
(1891-1933)
Registrars of Voters
(1891-1955)
School Committee (1891-1955)
For additional names of officers not cited in the appendix or included above, the reader is referred to appropriate chapters in the history, especially Chapter XII, Government.
MAYORS
Charles E. Hibbard 1891
Jabez L. Peck
1892-1893
John C. Crosby
1894-1895
Walter F. Hawkins 1896-1897
*William W. Whiting 1898-1899
*William W. Whiting died August 7, 1899. Levi A. Stevens, President of the Board of Aldermen, served as Mayor from August 8, 1899 to December 31, 1899.
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Hezekiah S. Russell
1900-1901
Daniel England
1902
Harry D. Sisson
1903-1904
Allen H. Bagg
1905-1907
William H. MacInnis
1908-1910
Kelton B. Miller
1911-1912
Patrick J. Moore
1913-1914
George W. Faulkner
1915-1916
William C. Moulton
1917-1919
Louis A. Merchant
1920
Michael W. Flynn
1921-1922
Charles W. Power
1923-1924
Fred T. Francis
1925-1926
Harry G. West
1927
Jay P. Barnes
1928-1931
Patrick J. Moore
1932-1933
Allen H. Bagg
1934-1937
James Fallon
1938-1947
Robert T. Capeless
1948-1955
Harvey E. Lake
1956-
CHIEF ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
George W. Branch
1891-1895
William F. Francis
Lucien D. Hazard
Jan. 20, 1896 to Dec. 27, 1906 March 18, 1907 to July 1, 1911
William C. Shepard Dec. 18, 1911 to Feb. 13, 1933
Thomas F. Burke
Feb. 13, 1933 to May 31, 1955
Ward G. Whalen
June 1, 1955-
CHIEFS OF POLICE
John Nicholson
William G. White
Daniel P. Flynn
John L. Sullivan
Thomas H. Calnan
Mar. 4, 1891 to April 1, 1905 April 1, 1905 to Jan. 6, 1913 March 10, 1913 to May 8, 1915 Sept. 13, 1915 to Feb. 18, 1947 Feb. 26, 1947-
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APPENDIX
CITY AUDITORS
George Y. Learned G. Albert Learned
Feb. 2, 1891 to July, 1897
Acting Auditor from July, 1897 to June 28, 1899
Dennis A. Curtin
June 28, 1899 to Jan. 31, 1904
Edgar T. Lawrence
Feb. 1, 1904 to Feb. 6, 1921
Jay P. Barnes
Feb. 7, 1921 to Feb. 6, 1927
Harry C. Hutchinson
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