PITTSFIELD, MA.- The Berkshire Museum announces the details of the next and final phase of its continued renovation project. In what will be the final phase of its three-part renovation, Berkshire Museum will update the entirety of the first floor, including the gallery spaces, lobby, museum shop, and aquarium. Working with Architect and Designer Yo Hakomori of Studio Hau, based in Los Angeles, California, Bradley Architects Inc., based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Development and Construction company Skanska, the Museum gave notice to members in an event held on Friday, October 6, that it is nearing the completion of the design development stage for the project and plans to begin construction sometime in mid-2024. 

The reimagined first floor will pay homage to the museum's past while infusing beloved permanent exhibitions with contemporary fixtures and refreshed gallery spaces. The renovation will also double the size of the museum’s iconic aquarium, which will allow for the introduction of new species (including a jellyfish tank) and create an immersive experience that blends seamlessly with the existing fine art, science, and history collection.

Kimberley Bush Tomio, the museum’s Executive Director, shared that “Visitors to the museum will be reintroduced to its remarkable collections through inventive presentations that reflect interconnections between natural history specimens, antiquities, and contemporary objects, offering unique opportunities for engagement and personal discovery."

“In the updated design, we took great care to bring the museum to modern standards while maintaining aspects of the museum that are beloved by many in the community: the diorama room (Animals of the World in Miniature, by sculptor Louis Paul Jonas) will remain largely unchanged, Zenas Crane’s plan for a Cabinet of Curiosities is expanded, and the revitalized aquarium is sure to become a destination spot for tourists and Berkshire residents alike,” said Jesse Kowalski, Berkshire Museum’s chief curator.

“We are excited to see the final phase become a reality. This thoughtful design reflects the time and input of our many museum stakeholders and the community at large,” said Jeff Belair, the recently appointed president of Berkshire Museum Board of Trustees. “We believe these renovations are an important cornerstone of our goal to build a lasting and vibrant future for the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield.”
 
Berkshire Museum will continue to update the community on the progress of this project as the significant renovation unfolds.