Author: Sarah Currie

The History of the Botsford House
Saturday, November 11, 2017
11 a.m.
777 Main Street

Homeowner, Cynthia Payne, presented a history of one of the striking homes of Main Street.  Cynthia shared information about the site, the builder, the three families who lived in the home, the building’s life as a library and the home of the House of Local History, and the controversy over the building’s future when the library moved out.  Cynthia also spoke about the restoration of the building from library to a home again.  After the lecture, refreshments were be served at the Botsford House and a tour of the first floor was led by Cynthia.

View a video of the lecture here: Botsford House Lecture Video

Other topics in the works for the 2017-2018 lecture season include the history of the Williams College Faculty Club, the history of several West Main Street properites and families and  Arthur Latham Perry.  Check the website often for updates about programs!

Back to School:  A Historical Look at Education in Williamstown
Saturday, September 30
11 a.m.
Milne Public Library
1095 Main Street, Williamstown

Beloved former school principal and enthusiastic community presence, Jane Allen, will present a lecture schools in Williamstown.  Both a walk down memory lane and an informative  presentation, this lecture is not to be missed!

View the video here:   Education in Williamstown Video

Jane Allen was educated at Brayton Elementary (K-8), Drury High School (9-12), North Adams State College (BS in Elementary Education), SUNY Albany (MS in Educational Administration), and MCLA (Honorary Doctorate in Pedagogy).  She served as a teacher and Director at Williamstown Cooperative Nursery School (South Center), a teacher at Williamstown Elementary Schools (Broad Brook, Southworth, Mitchell), the Principal of the Central Berkshire Regional School District (Crane Community, Cummington, Kittredge) and the Principal at Clarksburg Elementary School.  Jane has also served as past President of Massachusetts Elementary Principals Association and served on the Williamstown Select Board.

WHS Class of 1910

Exhibits Room Before Renovation

 

Contributions from our generous donors have made a difference!  We have made durable investments in the former South Center School which are providing a secure and energy efficient building envelope and a safe place in which to store our collection and exhibits.  Updated technology and aesthetic improvements to the building along with frequent programs, workshops and special exhibits will make the Williamstown Historical Museum we a vibrant community resource that can serve as a repository of memory and framework for viewing today. Our foremost goal is the preservation and presentation of the history of Williamstown for this and future generations and we aim to serve as Williamstown’s history center that will thrive for the next 50 years and beyond.

Exhibits Room After Renovation

WHM Capital Campaign Donors_6_2017