Submitted by Penni Martorell, Wistariahurst Museum Curator and Holyoke City Historian. In recent years, I have proudly brandished the title of “history nerd.” It was only recently that I realized that I was not like most of my peers. I have always been the one who wanted to know more about an item or artifact--who … Continue reading THE MAKING OF A “HISTORY NERD”
NORTHFIELD RIVERBOAT TOURS
By Betsy McKee Earlier this summer we booked a tour on the Quinnetukut II, which is supposed to be a replica of the boat from the old movie “African Queen.” Our captain took us on a tour down the Connecticut River to Turners Falls, with a guide telling us facts about the river, the geology, … Continue reading NORTHFIELD RIVERBOAT TOURS
CARNEGIE HERO FUND AWARDEES
By Barbara Pelissier Did the individual you are researching perform a heroic deed or even die while trying to save the life of another? If so, there’s a possibility that a Carnegie Hero Award was bestowed upon that individual or, posthumously, upon their surviving family members. Such was the case for Patrick O’Connor of Southampton, … Continue reading CARNEGIE HERO FUND AWARDEES
TRAVEL THE TIFFANY TRAIL – SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS
By Maggie Humberston On a hot, muggy afternoon in the Valley sometimes an exhibit comes along that just seems to re–write your soggy, wilted script. TheTiffany Trail at the Springfield Museums is doing that for me this summer. The D’Amour Museum of Fine Art is hosting Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art. You enter a cool, … Continue reading TRAVEL THE TIFFANY TRAIL – SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS
LOCATING FINAL RESTING PLACES AND VIEWING IMAGES ONLINE
By Barbara Pelissier, Westhampton Historical Society Discovering as much information as possible about the person you are researching generally includes finding a final resting place. Whether compiling documents of your town’s veterans or researching your own personal genealogy, an accompanying image of a headstone and the location of the cemetery helps to round out a … Continue reading LOCATING FINAL RESTING PLACES AND VIEWING IMAGES ONLINE
THE EMPEROR’S TOY SOLDIERS: CHINA’S TERRA COTTA WARRIORS
By Cliff McCarthy, Museum of Springfield History Zheng was only thirteen when, in 246 BC, he became King of Qin, the westernmost state of China. By his thirty-eighth year, he had achieved what no other warlord before him had done -- he had conquered and unified all of the "warring states" of China, proclaiming himself … Continue reading THE EMPEROR’S TOY SOLDIERS: CHINA’S TERRA COTTA WARRIORS
Pioneer Valley History Network 