Past Talks – Page 23 – Williamstown Historical Museum

Mount Hope Estate

The legendary Mount Hope estate fascinates us with stories of wealth and innovation. In November, 2013, Joe Bergeron lectured about the evolution of the estate, its rise to prototype farm, its “million dollar” barn and other buildings, and the development around its windy road since Mount Hope’s founding by the Prentice family. This talk was given in conjunction with the opening of our winter exhibit, also on the Mount Hope Estate, curated by Joe Bergeron.
Joe is a relatively new Williamstown resident, having first arrived in town 17 years ago to attend Williams College. He, his wife and daughters live across the street from Mount Hope on an old part of the farm and love the rewarding responsibility of acting as caretaker to one of Mount Hope’s barns.

Moveable Houses

Paul Harsch speaks on Moving Houses in Williamstown on October 19th @ 11 am

“Walden House”, home of Harsch Associates Real Estate, was moved from Spring Street to its current location on Main Street in April, 1987. It is surprising to recognize that more than 80 Williamstown houses have been moved from one place to another. Paul Harsch will discuss a sampling of these. As President and Principle Broker of Harsch Associates, Paul will share his personal experience of the move of the “Walden House”, complete with original video from the day of the move. He will also tell us about many other homes that have been “on the move” in Williamstown with a history of why, when and where the homes traveled to and how those homes fare today. As a long time Realtor®, with personal experience in moving a historic home, he is uniquely qualified to present this lecture.

Harsch Associates Real Estate Agency has been owned and operated by Realtor® Paul A. Harsch III since 1979, who has been in real estate in our community for a total of 39 years. Mr. Harsch holds a BA from Williams College (1969). He is a licensed Real Estate Instructor/Broker, and also holds the designations of GRI, CRS, CRBM, CBI.

Paul Harsch will present his talk on moving houses in Williamstown on October 19, 2013 at 11 am in the Milne Public Library, 1095 Main Street, Williamstown, MA.

“the peaceful river floweth gently by. . .”

Lauren Stevens speaks about the Hoosic River on September 21st @ 11 am

A line from the Williams College anthem captures the usual state of the Hoosic: “the peaceful river floweth gently by. . .” Tropical Storm Irene, on August 28, 2011, reminded us that the river is not always peaceful. With climate change upon us, we forget our river at our peril. The Hoosic River is the reason our town and others in Massachusetts, Vermont and New York are located where they are. Indian paths, carting roads, railroad lines and trolley tracks followed the river’s level route. Periodic flooding created the best agricultural soil. The flow of water provided power for mills and an easy way to get rid of waste.
Lauren taught and served as Dean of Freshmen at Williams College for 18 years, founded The Advocate newspaper and the Hoosic River Watershed Association, is the author of six books – most of which are about the Berkshire area, and co-edited Williamstown: the First 250 Years for the Williamstown Historical Museum.

Lauren Stevens will speak about the Hoosic river on Saturday, September 21st at 11 am, in the Milne Public Library, 1095 Main Street, Williamstown, MA.