Events




The New England Maple Sugar Harvest
Tuesday
Feb 25 2025 ~ 7:00 pm

Museum professional historian Dennis Picard will walk us through the history of maple sugaring, a story of romance, folklore and science. The “gold of the forest” in the form of maple syrup or maple candy is still a treat for us today and a valued part of New England’s economy.

Location: Pelham Library Ramsdell Room Co-sponsored with Pelham Library
For More Information: Cynthia Weigel 413-256-4606

Finding William Lewis:  The Every-Day Life of a 19th Century New Englander
Saturday
Apr 26 2025 ~ 1:30 pm

William Lewis left an extraordinary record of his life in over 300 documents. He was a tanner, currier, a peddler of books and Yankee Notions, and a farmer in Barre, MA. Bruce Craven and Christie Higginbottom will uncover the everyday life of a 19th century New Englander, using William’s journals and records. Their book, Finding William Lewis [1819-1897], will be available for sale at the program.

Location: Pelham Library Ramsdell Room Co-sponsored with Pelham Library
For More Information: Cynthia Weigel 413-256-4606

Memorial Day Observance
Sunday
May 25 2025 ~ 10:00 am

Meet at the Quabbin Park Cemetery to honor individuals removed from their original resting places for the building of the Quabbin Reservoir. Refreshments beginning at 10 am will be followed by a parade at 11 am. Parade with us behind the Pelham banner

For more information: Cynthia Weigel 413-256-4606

MUSEUM OPENS AT 1:30 PM FOR THE SEASON – Come See What’s New at the Museum!  Weaving Demonstration 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sunday
Jun 1 2025 ~ 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

The museum opens for the season. Come visit to explore old and new exhibits.

Master weaver Laurie Autio, active participant in local and international weaving guilds and organizations, will demonstrate weaving from
2 to 4 pm. Find out how cloth is woven. Weavers are welcome to bring a loom or project.

The Historical Complex grounds are Open EVERYDAY Sunrise to Sunset.

For more information: Cynthia Weigel 413-256-4606

A Ranger-Led Tour of the Springfield Armory
Sunday
Jul 20 2025 ~ 1:00 pm

For 174 years the Springfield Armory was the epicenter of United States small arms research, development, and production until its closure in 1968. Employees worked to provide our military with the best infantry weapons necessary to safeguard the nation and its interests. Take a walk through Armory history on a tour led by National Park Ranger Susan Ashman. Learn the importance of this location to the Daniel Shays Rebellion.

Direction

For more information: Susan Ashman at 413-427-6558

A Visit to Former Pelham Mill and Shop Sites
Sunday
Aug 24 2025 ~ 1:30 pm

Explore a former Pelham Sawmill and Broom Handle Shop on a tour led by Karl Martini. If time permits, we will visit the sites of additional former Pelham Mills and Shops.

Meet at the Corner of N. Valley Rd. and Brewer Rd.

Location: Brewer Road
For more information contact Karl Martini at 413-256-4606

Harvest Supper & Howard D. Barnes Memorial Pie Auction
Saturday
Sep 27 2025 ~ 5:30 pm

Join us for a traditional New England boiled dinner of corned beef, cabbage and vegetables catered by David Jean. Following dinner, bid on a homemade pie auctioned off by Stan Rosenberg, whose wit and humor have delighted us for decades. Purchase your tickets at the Pelham Library, Pelham Historical Society Museum or online at www.pelhamhistory.org. Tickets go on sale June 1, 2025 and must be purchased or reserved before the Harvest Supper. We were sold out last year.

For more information, or to contribute a homemade pie, contact Susan Ashman at 413-427-6558.

The Geologic History of Pelham: the Rise and Fall of a Great Mountain Belt
Sunday
Oct 26 2025 ~ 10:00 am

UMass Geology Professor Michael Williams will give a presentation on the geologic history of Pelham and then guide us on a field trip. The rocks of Pelham originated thousands of miles away, forming the roots of a Himalayan-scale Mountain belt. In this talk and trip, we’ll see how the geology of Pelham is changing our understanding of the Himalayas and Andes today. We will carpool to visit examples of Pelham’s geology and see some evidence of our town’s dynamic history.

Location: Pelham Library Ramsdell Room Co-sponsored with the Pelham Library
For more informaion: Bruce Klotz 413 695-1797

Antique Glass Bottles - Annual Meeting at 6:30 pm, Presentation at 7 pm
Tuesday
Nov 18 2025 ~ 6:30 pm

Antique Glass Bottles *
Until the late 19th century, glass bottles were hand-blown, so each one was unique. Amherst resident Jim Thomas, a past president of the Berkshire Antique Bottle Association, will explain how the bottle’s shape, color. and presence of embossing are all clues to its age and provenance. He will share stories and samples from his extensive collection. Bring in an antique bottle or two of your own for Mr. Thomas to evaluate!

The program will follow the Pelham Historical Society’s Annual Meeting.

Location: Pelham Library Ramsdell Room Co-Sponsored with Pelham Library
For more information: George Naughton at 413-253-5290

Continuing a 100-Plus Year Tradition: Holiday Potluck Supper
Tuesday
Dec 9 2025 ~ 6:00 pm

Early in the last century Eugene Bartlett, CEO of the Pelham Fish rod Factory, funded an annual December celebration at Pelham’s Community Hall. Join us in continuing this tradition with a social hour and sit-down potluck dinner. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Location: Community Hall
For more information: David Boyden at 860-653-4140


Museum Information:
MUSEUM OPENS AT 1:30 PM FOR THE SEASON – Come See What’s New at the Museum!  Weaving Demonstration 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sunday
Jun 1 2025 ~ 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

The museum opens for the season. Come visit to explore old and new exhibits.

Master weaver Laurie Autio, active participant in local and international weaving guilds and organizations, will demonstrate weaving from
2 to 4 pm. Find out how cloth is woven. Weavers are welcome to bring a loom or project.

The Historical Complex grounds are Open EVERYDAY Sunrise to Sunset.

For more information: Cynthia Weigel 413-256-4606