By Sophia Minassian, 2024 My name is Sophia Minassian and I am a Girl Scout from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. I recently created the history section of the Indian Orchard St. Gregory Armenian Church website for my Girl Scout Gold Award Project. My great-grandparents, grandparents and mother grew up in this church and I have … Continue reading Girl Scout Chronicles History and Community Impact of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Indian Orchard
Local History Blog
Local History Blog
PVHN's Local History Blog is a forum for discussing exhibits and events, ideas and thoughts on local history in the Pioneer Valley Greetings fellow historians and local history enthusiasts...welcome to the Pioneer Valley History Network's blog. You will find postings here that range from exhibit reviews to comments about life in a small museum. This … Continue reading Local History Blog
Beginnings of the Revolutionary War in Belchertown’s Archival Record
by Allegra Giovine Originally published on the Stone House Museum’s “From the Archives” blog on July 21, 2025: http://stonehousemuseum.org/beginnings-of-the-revolutionary-war/ This year marks the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolutionary War. By July, 1775 (that is, exactly 250 years before this blog post), Belchertown residents were very much caught up in war activities. … Continue reading Beginnings of the Revolutionary War in Belchertown’s Archival Record
“A Real Breakthrough…”
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 … Continue reading “A Real Breakthrough…”
HistoryFest Pioneer Valley
Join us for a gathering of local history enthusiasts, high school age and up, including local historians, public history professionals, genealogists, preservationists, academics, and others, in one place for a day of sharing. The Pioneer Valley History Network is teaming up with the History & Philosophy Department at Westfield State University to bring you this … Continue reading HistoryFest Pioneer Valley
The Saga of Jupiter Richards
By Cliff McCarthy (A version of this story appears on the website “Freedom Stories of the Pioneer Valley” (https://freedomstoriespv.wordpress.com) and is used with permission.) Jupiter Richards was an American patriot. Of this fact there is no doubt, although much of his heartbreaking story is shrouded in speculation and unanswered questions. The facts are there … Continue reading The Saga of Jupiter Richards
The Rescue of Angeline Palmer
By Cliff McCarthy (A version of this story appears on the website “Freedom Stories of the Pioneer Valley” (https://freedomstoriespv.wordpress.com) and is used with permission.) Angeline Palmer was a freeborn African American raised in the Amherst alms-house.[1] Her mother died of smallpox in 1831 when Angeline was about two years old and her father, Solomon … Continue reading The Rescue of Angeline Palmer
Jane Maria Robinson Scottron
By Marla R. Miller Jane Maria Robinson Scottron appears among the more than sixty dressmakers listed in Springfield city directory in the 1870-71 publication—coincidentally (or not) the first year that the publishers of the directory did not flag which of the city’s residents were “colored.”[1] If you didn’t already know that the Scottrons were a … Continue reading Jane Maria Robinson Scottron
Peter, of Longmeadow
By Melissa Cybulski Peter was an enslaved man owned by Rev. Stephen Williams of Longmeadow, MA. He appears several times in Williams’ diary from approximately 1755-1774. He may appear as early as 1751, but it is difficult to parse out which “Peter” is being referenced in the diary since there was at least one other … Continue reading Peter, of Longmeadow
Thomas Thomas, of Springfield
By Cliff McCarthy (An early version of this story appears on the website “Freedom Stories of the Pioneer Valley” (https://freedomstoriespv.wordpress.com) and is used with permission.) Thomas Thomas was a legendary figure in Springfield’s African American community. He was a great story-teller and, as is often the case, his tales have been reported many times over the … Continue reading Thomas Thomas, of Springfield
Aaron Nazro, of the “Colored Military Corps”
By Cliff McCarthy A curious item in the Springfield Republican of 17 December 1831 drew some attention: MARRIED -- In this town, Thanksgiving eve, Mr. John White, of Hartford, to Miss Lucretia Nazro, daughter of Colonel Nazro, of the colored military corps of this town.[1] Who was “Colonel” Nazro and what was the “colored military … Continue reading Aaron Nazro, of the “Colored Military Corps”
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