Please join us at 11am for a captivating presentation by local historian and author Dusty Griffin, bringing us back to Williamstown in 1776: who lived in town, who the leaders were, what was going on militarily, politically, etc.
Free to the public, Donations greatly appreciated.
Over the last eight years, local historian Dustin (Dusty) Griffin has published four collections of essays on the history of Williamstown and Williamstown, the most recent of them Williamstown and Williams College: Volume 4, in June 2025. He calls the essays “microhistories,”deep dives into the history of a particular place, a notable person, or a significant event. He has often given talks to audiences in Williamstown on local history over the last ten years. He is now at work on new essays, including one which forms the basis of today’s talk, “Williamstown in 1776.”
Before turning to local history, Dusty was Professor of English at New York University, and the author of nine scholarly books on18th-century English literature. He is a1965 graduate of Williams College, and a former trustee of the college. He is also chair of the Williamstown Historical Commission,which is currently preparing online tours of historical houses and sites in Williamstown, including a “1776 tour.” Dusty and his wife, Gale, have lived in Williamstown since 2003.