Who was Sappho? Craig and Kendra dissect fact versus fiction in their discussion of the legendary poetess from the ancient Mediterranean.

Why is there a 1,200 pound Stegosaurus in Downtown Pittsfield guarding Berkshire Museum? Executive Director Jeff Rodgers joins Craig to tell the story of the Museum's beloved dinosaur Wally.

Exhibitions Manager William joins Craig to examine a surgeon’s kit used in the United States Civil War (1861-1865). WARNING: this episode contains descriptions of antique medical instruments and gruesome details of war-time injuries.

Music by Phil Vivori.

It may not be an accessioned part of Berkshire Museum's collection but the aquaponic tank in our Aquarium is located in the basement. In this episode, discover the cool new Aquarium addition that both houses and feeds some of the animals in our care.

Music by Phil Vivori.

Lion Fish in the Grotto is a pointillist gouache painting on paper by artist Nancy Graves (1939-1995) composed of red, orange, and blue dots that form the striped bodies, spiky fins, and venomous rays of five lion fish on a stark white background. In this episode we explore pointillism, the life and work of Nancy Graves, and her connection to Berkshire Museum.

Theme music by Phil Vivori.

Why does the Berkshire Museum collection contain a screw from a cheese press? Because it was used to make a historic block of cheese! In this episode, discover the story behind the great 1802 Cheshire Cheese with our special guest host.

Theme music by Phil Vivori.

In the early twentieth century, Old Bill the moose roamed free in the town of Lee, Massachusetts. Today, Old Bill hangs in Berkshire Museum's galleries as a natural science specimen. Discover his story in this episode of What's in the Basement?

Theme music by Phil Vivori.

Berkshire Museum's resident mummy, Pahat, has been in the collection since the Museum's founding in 1903. In this episode we take a closer look at Pahat's life, the cultural norms surrounding death in ancient Egypt, and the importance of preserving memories in our own society. 

Theme music by Phil Vivori.

Today we discover the story of the first woman to direct a publicly funded art museum in the United States and museum visionary Laura Bragg. As Berkshire Museum's first director, Laura brought big changes to the museum and community.

Theme music by Phil Vivori.