by David M. Powers The agreement which William Pynchon made with the Indians of “Agaam” (as it is spelled in the text) on this day, 15 July, 383 years ago – a Friday that year – was an extraordinary document for several reasons. 1. It named two women: Kewenusk and Niarum. Pynchon figured out the … Continue reading THE SPRINGFIELD INDIAN DEED
Local History Blog
THE BIRTH OF SPRINGFIELD — MAY 16, 1636
By David M. Powers The original pioneers in Springfield took a weekend in mid-May, 1636, to frame the shape of their settlement. In typical Puritan fashion they entered a covenant together, a written agreement to create a new community. Their basic constitution, composed on Saturday, May 14, listed thirteen “articles and orders.” The initial article … Continue reading THE BIRTH OF SPRINGFIELD — MAY 16, 1636
Early American Print at your Fingertips – and No Fish
By Kathie Gow, Hatfield Historical Society Re-blogged from: http://hatfieldhistory.weebly.com/blog/so-where-are-the-fish Last Saturday I attended a behind-the-scenes tour of the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) in Worcester along with some of my Hatfield Historical Museum work associates. I’ve wanted to check the place out for years, so when I saw that History Camp was hosting this tour, I … Continue reading Early American Print at your Fingertips – and No Fish
“Conway Goes to War”
Re-blogged from: http://31massinf.wordpress.com Fans of the 31st Massachusetts Infantry should definitely consider visiting the Conway Historical Society over the coming weeks. Sixteen members of the regiment were connected to Conway and the museum is displaying many artifacts from the 31st, including the McClellan saddle, sword, canteen, and uniform items of Gordon H. Johnson of Company … Continue reading “Conway Goes to War”
Newly-Found Manuscripts Tell Story of Western Bay State Regiment in Civil War
"I was out in the woods chopping with Charles Nowlton and was just thinking of going home for the night, when Lieut. Geo. S. Darling came out where we were to work, seeking for recruits, and as I had been wanting to enlist, this was just the opportunity, so I took his pencil and paper … Continue reading Newly-Found Manuscripts Tell Story of Western Bay State Regiment in Civil War
WESTHAMPTON’S PASSPORT TO HISTORY
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
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
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”
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