Current News
Saturday, September 13th, 2025.
Members of the Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) attended a walking tour of the Camp Meigs Memorial Park in Readville, MA. The tour was conducted by members of the Hyde Park Historical Society. There were members of the local Massachusetts 54th Reenactors present who shared stories of the soldiers' lives.
Saturday, August 30th, 2025.
The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) held a showing of the one-hour documentary of the ‘Trumpet at the Walls of Jericho: The Untold Story of Samuel Harrison’ (previously aired by PBS) at the Samuel Harrison House. There were 2 scheduled showings, one at 11:00 am and the other at 2:00 pm. The SHS thanks all that were in attendance. The Trumpet at the Walls of Jericho is a Mike Kirk film. It is narrated by actors Ossie Davis, Keith David, and Mario Van Peebles. It stars Evan Martin as young Samuel Harrison and Wynton Marsalis has a cameo. It has an original music score by Eric Lewis. The documentary is executive produced by Russ Morrison and John Tortelli (Western Reserve Academy) and Mike Kirk.
Saturday, July 12th, 2025.
The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) held a 20th Anniversary Gala of ‘The Trumpet at the Walls of Jericho, The Untold Story of Samuel Harrison’. The Gala was held at Berkshire Country Club on July 12, 2025, and was attended by about 50 people. Attendees included representatives from Greylock Federal Credit Union, NAACP Berkshire Branch, Westside Legends, and Multicultural Bridge, as well guests from different states. Awards presented by SHS President Marlena Willis to former Pittsfield Mayor James Roberto, former Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer Clairmont, former Second Congregational Church historian Ivan Newton, former SHS grant writer Bonnie Galant, Greylock President John Bissell, and Samuel Harrison House Architect John James for their efforts, presence, and commitment to restoring Rev. Samuel Harrison’s House. Soloist Wanda Houston provided performances for the evening. The winner of the Gala 2025 raffle received a gift basket. Gift bags for attendees included a Harrison Scroll, Rev. Samuel Harrison House Stickers, information about Berkshire County historical places and the African American Heritage Trail, and a lovely antique replica trinket box.
Sunday, June 15th, 2025.
The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) operated a booth at NAACP Berkshire County's Annual Juneteenth Celebration held at Durant Park in Pittsfield. At the celebration, NAACP Berkshire County, Westside Legends, and R.O.P.E unveiled a mural dedicated to the Berkshire County members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. All members of the community each read 1 name of soldier who was mustered into the Regiment from Berkshire County. The full list of the names of the men who were mustered into the 54th from Berkshire County is provided here.