Western Gateway Heritage State Park

Description

A former railroad yard, this urban park uses historical artifacts and exhibits to bring to life the controversial and danger-filled construction of the Hoosac Tunnel, one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. The tunnel was dug 4.75 miles through Hoosac Mountain, linking Massachusetts to Albany, NY. 200 men lost their lives building the tunnel, which is still being used today. An audio-visual presentation takes visitors back in time, where the sounds of dripping water, pickaxes against stone, explosions, and debates recreate the hardships and heroism of the tunnel's construction. Outside, several beautifully restored buildings that were once used to store freight and commodities surround a cobblestone courtyard. The buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Programs such as concerts, walking tours, arts and crafts, and environmental education are offered regularly to the public. In addition, the gallery has become well known for its exhibits that feature work by area artists and historical themes.

The park offers exhibits, a short film, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Lawrence Heritage State Park

Description

A restored boarding house with two floors of interactive exhibits tells the tale of Lawrence, one of the nation's first planned industrial cities. Along with stories of Lawrence's mill workers and industry, the workers' role in the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike is relived with images and sounds. Visitors can walk along the esplanade of a 19th-century canal and through a park created within the walls of an industrial-era building.

The park offers exhibits, tours, a short film, and educational and recreational programs.

Sutton Historical Society and Museum [MA]

Description

The General Rufus Putnam Hall was constructed in 1823 by the Olive Branch of the Master Masons. After 1844 it was used as a school and for several years as a meeting place for the DAR. When the first-floor schoolroom was vacated it became space for the Town Library. In 1984 the Library was moved into the Town Hall and the Town voted to allow the Historical Society usage of the building. Today, the building houses the Rufus Putnam Museum and Office, displaying artifacts from local history.

The museum offers exhibits and lectures.

Northampton Historical Society and Museum and Education Center [MA]

Description

Historic Northampton is a museum of local history in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts. Its collection of approximately 50,000 objects is a repository of Northampton and Connecticut Valley history from the Pre-Contact era to the present. The museum maintains a permanent exhibit chronicling the rich history of Northampton in its main gallery and features changing exhibitions in its rotating exhibit space. Historic Northampton constitutes a campus of three contiguous historic houses, including the 1813 Damon House, the 1719 Parsons House, and the 1796 Shepherd House, all on their original sites. The grounds themselves are part of an original Northampton homelot, laid out in 1654.

The museums offer exhibits, tours, and educational and recreational events.

Christ Church in the City of Boston [MA]

Description

The enduring fame of the Old North began on the evening of April 18, 1775, when the church sexton, Robert Newman, climbed the steeple and held high two lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea and not by land. The Old North Church is officially known as Christ Church in the City of Boston. It was built in 1723, and is the oldest standing church building in Boston. In 1775, on the eve of Revolution, the majority of the congregation were loyal to the British King and many held official positions in the royal government, including the Royal Governor of Massachusetts, making Robert Newman's loyalty to the Patriot cause unusual.

The church offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events and performances.

Berkshire County Historical Society and Herman Melville's Arrowhead [MA]

Description

The Society is committed to the preservation and interpretation of Arrowhead, home of author Herman Melville, the first National Historic Landmark to be so designated in Berkshire County. The author's study, piazza, the original fireplace from his short story "I and My Chimney" and the restored barn in which Melville and Hawthorne spent hours discussing their writings are all open to the public. The Society has also restored the North Meadow preserving the view of Mount Greylock which was a major inspiration to Melville.

The society offers research library access and occasional recreational and educational events; the museum offers exhibits and tours.

Dedham Historical Society and Museum [MA]

Description

The Society operates a museum housing a collection of furnishings and artifacts ranging from pre-Columbian stone tools and the 1652 Metcalf great chair (the oldest dated American-made chair) to a collection of Dedham and Chelsea pottery. On exhibit are several rare and important clocks including one of the only two known "astronomical shelf clocks" by Simon Willard. Also in the collection are Civil War artifacts and a number of paintings by artists including John Constable, Gilbert Stuart, Amasa Hewins, Henry Hitchings, and Alvan Fisher. Photographic materials document life in Dedham since the 19th century, while furniture and memorabilia bring the past to life. The Society also owns the largest collection of silver by Katherine Pratt, silversmith.

The museum offers exhibits exhibits, tours, and educational programs; the society offers lectures and research library access.