by Bill Hosley
A real breakthrough in the world of local history and historicals is the result of the #PioneerValleyNetwork’s continuing success in programming, communications, and event planning.
Their new “History on the Go” series features several Saturdays where a cluster of local historical museums coordinate and promote being open on at the same time – sometimes with a theme, but that’s less important than enabling those who love this stuff to pick off several museums with a single trip.
Didn’t have time to do all 4, 2 of which I already knew well. But the 2 we visited – in Wilbraham & Hampden, Mass. I had never seen and OMG – wonderful!
Hampden was home to children’s book author, conservationist and early 20th century media celebrity #ThorntonBurgess – about whom they have much to show and tell. In the 1930s, my father won some kind of prize for his bird calls on Burgess’ radio show.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornton_Burgess
Loved learning the story of Blue Star businesses during WW2 honoring employee service.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_flag
The inevitable random treasures one always finds in local historicals – never disappoint. Loved the cast iron stove, 1850s wall map, hair wreath, friendship quilt, Indian artifacts and more.
#WilbrahamHistoricalSociety – have passed by it countless times over the years but never when it was open.
There we discovered two of the most remarkable early objects – the Glover-Baldwin chair that belonged to Springfield minister Rev. Peletiah Glover (1637-92) or one his children and a silver tankard of undetermined provenance – engraved with initial IW – made by silversmith John Potwine (1698-1792), the CT Valley’s earliest silversmith! This is the most impressive object I’ve ever seen by this rare and important craftsman. I loved the Baldwin family coat of arms (my mother’s birth name), a Rev War physician’s mortar and pestle, archeological finds, locally-made furniture. Etc. etc.
This is why exploring local history in the settings that do the most to preserve it never gets old. I will continue to seek out local history museums as long as I can.
Pioneer Valley History Network 