The Berkshire Museum re-opens to the public with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 29, after an extensive renovation of the first floor that took a year and a half and cost $12.1 million. But the important takeaways from this newly conceived museum go way beyond the architectural features. The museum is united and holds together in a new way, Jason Vivori, Collections Manager, explained to the tour. Sure enough, familiar old favorites are still prominent—the Berkshire elephant, the moose head, the reminders of authentic original voices. The current renovation of the first floor followed a $3.5 million renovation of the second floor and $2 million in repairs and upgrades to the building’s sewer lines, foundation and freight elevator.