Submitted by Barbara Pelissier, Westhampton The Friends of the Westhampton Public Library hosted an afternoon of interactive history this past spring. They dusted off some of the museum’s items and put them in the hands of several teenagers with the request to research their use and demonstrate them to the public. As a result, many … Continue reading WESTHAMPTON’S PASSPORT TO HISTORY
When a Bull Moose Crashed the Republican Party
By Cliff McCarthy After the clamor and hyperbole of the 2012 presidential election abates, we cannot help but be drawn to the past for comparison, or at least perspective, on our quadrennial media orgy. What a difference a century makes. Campaigning was different in 1912, when the nation experienced one of its wildest and most … Continue reading When a Bull Moose Crashed the Republican Party
RECOVERING 19th CENTURY CORNERSTONES
Submitted by: Barbara Pelissier, Westhampton Historical Society What do 19th century churches and lunatic asylum’s have in common? Both had dedication ceremonies that included the placement of a cornerstone either at or near the entrance or within the facade of the structure. Often accompanied by music and a simple Masonic ritual involving corn, wine and … Continue reading RECOVERING 19th CENTURY CORNERSTONES
THE MAKING OF A “HISTORY NERD”
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”
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
Pioneer Valley History Network 