The Berkshire Coin Club

Lutes was an avid collector of both US and foreign coins and took great joy in his hobby. He became one of the earliest members of the Berkshire Coin Club, dating back to 1957 which is the year after the club was founded. For more than sixty years, Lutes was a significant part of the club serving as President, Treasurer, Club Librarian, Historian and finally as the Newsletter Editor.

The Lifetime Membership

In 1974, Don was granted the first “Life Membership” of the club which was a recognition for his many years of service to the coin collectors of Berkshire County. During the 1980s, when many coin clubs were disbanding, Lutes’s dedication kept the organization alive and moving forward. Today, the Berkshire Coin Club is still going strong all because of his efforts.

Genealogy

Apart from his passion for coins, Lutes also developed a keen interest in Genealogy. His grandmother left him a box of papers and artifacts related to his family history. As the only child of his parents, Donald Sr. and Pauline Lutes, he used those items to trace his lineage back to the state’s earliest settlers. 

Gracious Man

Lutes’s personal ancestral journey motivated him to help others dig into their past. Later, he became the President of BFHA (Berkshire Family History Association) from 1985 to 2017. He was so heavily involved in all aspects of the local history group, it now takes several people to handle his duties.

The Library

Don Lutes Jr. became a widower in 1995. He lived as a resident of Pittsfield his whole life. After his wife passed away, Lutes spent most of his time at Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield’s Public Library.  He volunteered there for decades. 

Volunteer Of The Year

The contribution provided by Lutes was so immense that the Pittsfield’s Public library re-named its annual volunteer of the year award after him, the Donald L. Lutes Volunteer of the Year Award. This award was to honor his incomparable service and all the efforts he provided to the library.