The Pioneer Valley is full of opportunities to explore local history. Please check the events calendar often.
See Past Events here.
SEPTEMBER 2018
2 – 29 September — “PaperJam” and “On a Roll– the Story of Paper in Turners Falls”
Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls
PaperJam is a community art show curated by Exploded View – all inspired by paper. On a Roll– the Story of Paper in Turners Falls is an exhibit exploring the transition from hand-made to machine-made paper, the paper industry’s arrival in Turners Falls, and the rise and fall of the village’s paper mills. This programming made possible with the support of DCR, RiverCulture, and the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.
17 September — “Soil & Shul in the Berkshires: The Untold Story of Sandisfield’s Jewish Farm Colony”
Friends of the Westhampton Library and the Lyn Keating Programming Fund
Westhampton Public library, 1 North Rd., Westhampton, 6:30 p.m.
With the help of a Jewish Aid Society, Jewish families living in early 20th century New York City were encouraged to settle in an agricultural colony in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. The story of how the Sandisfield settlement developed has now been put in print by Lorraine German, who, with her husband, lives in the family home of Steve’s grandfather, Max Linder. Lorraine relied on newspapers articles, historical records and first-hand accounts to research the history of this Jewish agricultural colony and its members. She will share some of the stories that are included in her 250-page book. Printing has been delayed by a few weeks, but book order forms will be available for attendees to submit. Books will be signed by Lorraine before shipping. This program is free.
20 September –“Another World Is Possible: Revolutionary Visions, Past and Present” Keynote Address: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber III
UMass Fine Arts Center, 6 p.m.
The 2018 Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series is exploring the radical imaginations of social movements and everyday people who have worked toward creating a new world. More than a dozen lectures, workshops and panel conversations feature nationally and internationally renowned scholars and movement leaders.
Rev. Barber is the co-chair of the national Poor People’s Campaign, architect of the Moral Monday Movement, president of Repairers of the Breach, and co-author of The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement Is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear. Tickets are FREE and available online, by phone, or at the Fine Arts Center Box Office. All seating is general admission. Any remaining tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis on the night of the lecture. See website for details about a free bus from Springfield. Inaugural James Baldwin Lecture.
21 September — Canal Drawdown and Powertown History Stroll
Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, 5-7 p.m.
Take a stroll back in time along the Canalside Rail Trail during the annual water draw down of the canal. Discover rich industrial history with local historian Ed Gregory, DCR’s Janel Nockleby, and Northfield Mountain’s Kim Noyes. Wear walking shoes and meet at the entrance of the Center for this two-mile walk on flat terrain. FREE. Register at: 800-859-2960.
22 September — Variety Show and Silent Auction
Buckland Historical Society
Buckland Community Hall, Upper Buckland
Buckland Historic Society is having a variety show and silent auction as a fund raiser for the Wilder Homestead Barn Restoration Project. We hope you will announce this upcoming event in your event listings. Come join us for an evening of fun.
Tickets $10; over 65 and under 18 $5. Tickets available at the Buckland Library or online at http://www.bucklandmasshistory.org
23 September — “Paper Trail: Talk Then Walk”
Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Explore the history of four major paper mills in Turners Falls with local historians and DCR staff: Bill Wilson, Ed Gregory, Sheila Damkoehler, and Janel Nockleby. A one-hour presentation in the Great Hall with Q&A, followed by a short, easy walk afterwards, weather permitting.
25 September — “WWI in Greenfield”
Historical Society of Greenfield, 43 Church St., Greenfield, 7:30 p.m.
When the First World War began in July of 1914, people in Greenfield were concerned, but not unduly alarmed. Events in Europe seemed far away, and although several of the machine tool companies in town were unhappy at the prospect of losing lucrative contracts with German and Austro-Hungarian firms, they quickly began pursuing alternatives. But as the war continued, and casualties mounted, local residents began to see young men leaving to join the fray. Some Germans left to serve under the Kaiser, while British and Americans both went to Canada to enlist. A contingent of Poles joined the Polish Legion and fought under the Allied flag. Gradually, the town and the nation were drawn into this “War to End All Wars.” In the end, dozens of townspeople were affected by the war, and many lost their lives in the conflict, or in the horrific influenza epidemic that followed.
Tim Blagg is a professor of history at Greenfield Community College, former Editor of The Greenfield Recorder and past president and curator of the Historical Society of Greenfield. Please join us for this window into Greenfield of 100 years ago.
27 September — “Explaining Ourselves: The Revolutionary Correspondence of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson”
Museums a la Carte Lecture Series
Davis Auditorium, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, 12:15 p.m.
with Barry Deitz, storyteller
We will look at the extraordinary letters written by Adams and Jefferson to each other during tumultuous years of the Revolution and after. After both men had retired from public office their correspondence continued in earnest as the two very different men, one a Northerner, one a Southerner, and representatives of completely opposite ideas of government, tried to explain themselves at last.
29 September — “The Kell’s Pasture, a Native American Site in Greenfield”
Historical Society of Greenfield, 43 Church St., Greenfield, 6:30 p.m.
The Kell’s Pasture Site, a Native American site, was located by Gray and Pape Heritage Management in 2015. Located on the terraces of the Connecticut River in Greenfield MA, the site includes archaeological deposits that are deeply buried beneath deposits of alluvium. Occupations at this site appear to have occurred over a 7000 year period, with up to five incidences of occupation spanning the Archaic and Woodland cultural periods. In addition to a cultural story, this site informs on the geological history of the Connecticut Valley after the end of the last glacial ice age. Conclusions drawn from this study can help tell us more of the ancient story of the Connecticut Valley and the people who lived here. We are pleased to present Geo-Archaeologist and Principal Investigator Nathan Scholl at the Historical Society of Greenfield MA, for a discussion on the site, local archaeology, and geology.
30 September — “Life Under the Tsars: Registration, Residence and Exit Routes”
Western Massachusetts Jewish Genealogical Society
Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson St., Springfield, 1 p.m.
Records from the Russian Empire show that people were often registered as citizens of one town, but lived in another. What was the system of registration and residence permits under the Tsars and later in the Soviet Union? How were people divided into social estates? How did our ancestors obtain steamship tickets and travel from their shtetls to the steamship ports? How can these records and historical knowledge help us trace our families before they emigrated?
Alan Shuchat is a retired professor of mathematics at Wellesley College. He has researched his family’s history for several decades and traced branches back to around 1800. Shuchat lectured on Jewish agricultural colonies in the Russian Empire at the 2013 IAJGS conference in Boston. He is the coordinator of JGSGB’s Ukraine Special Interest Group and teaches in JGSGB’s genealogy course.
OCTOBER 2018
6 October — Fall Meeting
Northeast New England & Western New England chapters of the Association for Gravestone Studies
in South Windsor, CT
details to follow.
7 October — Colonial Day
Buckland Historical Society
Wilder Homestead, Rt. 112, Buckland, 2-5 p.m.
Step into the past at the 1775 Wilder Homestead and sample activities from the Colonial era.
Open Hearth Cooking, Oxen, Baskets, Weaving, Spinning, Quilting, Folk Painting, Music of the 1700’s, Cider Pressing, Morris Dancers
Admission: Adult – $3.00 Child – $1.00
7 October — Wine Tasting Event
Hatfield Historical Society
at Black Birch Vineyard, 108 Straits Rd., North Hatfield, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Do you consider yourself a supporter of local history? Do you like wine or checking out new local vineyards? Then here’s an event for you!
Please join us for the first annual Fall Party and Wine Tasting to celebrate and support the work of the Hatfield Historical Society.
$25 per person, includes light snacks, chance for a door prize and samples of 5 pre-selected wines or a glass of wine of your choosing.
**Featuring the music of the LaRK Jazz Trio**
This is a 21+ event. Tickets available for purchase in the Hatfield Historical Museum (Tues. and Sat. mornings), the Hatfield Farm Museum (Sats., 12 to 2 pm) or from Hatfield Historical Society board members. Or purchase tickets at the door, if not sold out (capacity is limited).
For more information, contact Bryan at: bryannicholas@comcast.net or: 413-348-6979
hatfieldhistory.weebly.com
8 October — Pulaski Day Parade
Polish Heritage Committee of Northampton
Northampton
On Monday, October, 8, 2018, the Polish Heritage Committee of Northampton will sponsor its 32nd Annual Pulaski Day Parade. The Committee has an important priority – the continuation of Polish history, culture, and pride – and we need your help in bringing an awareness of Polish heritage to the people of our region and to our future generations. We are asking for your support and participation in the Parade. We look forward to seeing you in Northampton Monday, October 8 celebrating our Polish Heritage.
We appreciate your generosity and support.
Chris Newman, Secretary
Polish Heritage Committee, Northampton, MA
127 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
11 October — “Alternative Facts about the Past: Fraud, Folly and Forgery in Archaeology”
Museums a la Carte Lecture Series
Davis Auditorium, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, 12:15 p.m.
with Joseph A.P. Wilson PhD, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Fairfield University
Do you trust archaeologists to tell you the truth about the past? The World Economic Forum recently announced that public trust in traditional journalism is at an all-time low. People increasingly rely on other sources for information, particularly new electronic media and partisan cable channels. The same trend is observed in ancient history and archaeology news, and scientific journalism in general. With many sensationalist media sources claiming to “rewrite history” with each new discovery, what tools does the public have to distinguish between the impossible, the improbable, and the truly groundbreaking? Dr. Joseph Wilson will illustrate several key cases and help to illuminate the problem.
13 October — “A Fiery & Still Voice: William Cullen Bryant at Home”
Enchanted Circle Theater
Bryant Homestead, Cummington
A play about love, passion, and social justice.
Written by Steve Angel, Priscilla Kane Hellweg, & Rachel Kuhn
Directed by Priscilla Kane Hellweg
with
Court Dorsey as William Cullen Bryant
Melissa Redwin as Rebecca McAllister, Trustees Docent
It’s 1865 and William Cullen Bryant’s wife has just passed away, too soon to move with him into their renovated family home in the Berkshires. Seen through the eyes of a docent, the poet, abolitionist, editor, and statesman revisits his life’s work, preparing his letters and writing for publication.
A Fiery & Still Voice, performed at The Bryant Homestead, a Trustees of Reservations property in Cummington, MA, is set in a time of intense political and literary discourse and addresses issues of race, gender, health, and the environment.
Saturdays 11am & 1pm: October 13th & 27th
Trustees Members: $22 General Public: $28
20 October — “A Walk With Southwick Spirits”
Southwick Historical Society
at Southwick Old Cemetery, 2 – 4 p.m.
A reenactment by local personalities of Southwick luminaries.
Suggested donation – $5
25 October — “Scoundrels Who Made America Great”
Southwick Historical Society
at United Methodist Church, 222 College Highway, Southwick, 6:30 p.m.
Invite a Friend pot Luck Dinner
Program presented by Martin Henley
27 October — “A Fiery & Still Voice: William Cullen Bryant at Home”
Enchanted Circle Theater
Bryant Homestead, Cummington
A play about love, passion, and social justice.
Written by Steve Angel, Priscilla Kane Hellweg, & Rachel Kuhn
Directed by Priscilla Kane Hellweg
with
Court Dorsey as William Cullen Bryant
Melissa Redwin as Rebecca McAllister, Trustees Docent
It’s 1865 and William Cullen Bryant’s wife has just passed away, too soon to move with him into their renovated family home in the Berkshires. Seen through the eyes of a docent, the poet, abolitionist, editor, and statesman revisits his life’s work, preparing his letters and writing for publication.
A Fiery & Still Voice, performed at The Bryant Homestead, a Trustees of Reservations property in Cummington, MA, is set in a time of intense political and literary discourse and addresses issues of race, gender, health, and the environment.
Saturdays 11am & 1pm: October 13th & 27th
Trustees Members: $22 General Public: $28
NOVEMBER
29 November — “I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone”
Museums a la Carte Lecture Series
Davis Auditorium, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, 12:15 p.m.
with Judith Kalaora, Founder & Artistic Director, History At Play™
I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone features the life of the Massachusetts based human rights activist and suffragist Lucy Stone. Challenging discrimination is not easy, but Lucy Stone is never one to take the easy road. The first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree, Lucy was a fierce abolitionist and women’s rights activist. Even Susan B. Anthony credited Lucy Stone for her involvement in the tumultuous women’s rights movement. The fight for suffrage is ferocious, so come along for the ride.
DECEMBER
6 December — “Holiday Jeopardy!”
Southwick Historical Society
at United Methodist Church, 222 College Highway, Southwick, 6:30 p.m.
Presented by Lee Hamberg
Singing, Refreshments, Yankee Swap
This page has the following sub pages.
