Pittsfield, Mass.

The city of Pittsfield boasts both the infrastructure required of a major industrial center as well as sufficient natural attractions to sustain a substantial tourism-based economy. The 250 acre GE complex, where employment once exceeded 13,000, is being reclaimed to join such natural assets as Onota and Pontoosuc Lakes, Pittsfield State Forest and Bosquet Ski Area as the city transitions to become the capital city of “America’s Cultural Destination.”

Pittsfield and U.S. history

Pittsfield has contributed much to the history of the United States. Pittsfield’s “Fighting Parson”, Rev. Thomas Allen, brother of Ethan Allen, rallied local Minutemen for the Battle of Bennington in 1777. In the mid-1800s, Herman Melville (photo courtesy Cormier Art) found refuge from city life at his family’s Pittsfield farm where he wrote Moby Dick, drawing inspiration from nearby Mt. Greylock. And throughout the 20th century, GE’s local manufacturing has included critical national defense operations.

Pittsfield, MA facts:

• Town Hall: 70 Allen St.
• Phone: (413) 499-9321
• Population: 45,793
• Settled/Inc’d: 1752
• Named for: William Pitt
• Elevation: 1,038′
• Demographic data: state.ma.us/cc/pittsfield.html
• Town website: pittsfield-ma.org/
• Pittsfield Police Dept.: pittsfieldpolice.com/

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