Self Guided Tour of Williamstown – Page 31 – Williamstown Historical Museum

The Forgotten Ledge of Fort Massachusetts

Program for Children and Families!

Saturday, September 24, 11 am

Milne Public Library

Wendy Champney will led the audience on a journey through hits where they followed the clues as to reveal the location of Indian Ledge and uncover its vibrant, lost history.

View the video here: The Forgotten Ledge of Fort Massachusetts

Audience members also discovered the significance of the relationship between the ledge and the 1746 attack on Fort Massachusetts located in present-day North Adams. Wendy is author of the book The Forgotten Ledge of Fort Massachusetts and the coloring book Colorful History of Fort Massachusetts. This program is perfect for families hoping to learn more about our local history dating to the earliest days of settlement when North Adams was the westernmost outpost of Massachusetts.

Mrs. Champney is a lifelong resident of North Adams and is a retired McCann Technical School teacher. She hopes to inspire curiosity about local history in students throughout the Berkshires. She serves on the Historical Commission in North Adams and is a member of the Friends of Fort Massachusetts. The home on the Ledge which inspired her book has been in her family since the 1960s. Wendy’s book and coloring book will be available at the lecture for you to enjoy.

First Church & Williamstown: 250 Years Together ~ on exhibit through Autumn, 2016

It is no coincidence that First Congregational Church, Williamstown, and the town itself share a birthdate. In 1750 Massachusetts General Assembly passed legislation requiring a “settled and learned pastor” in order to incorporate a town. So, no matter what the religious fervor of the town in those early days, forming a Congregational Church (this is Massachusetts) was necessary for them to claim their land. So the story of the Church is the story of the town. Come hear about the significant events in the Church’s history, which show what was happening in town along the way.

Moira Jones has been Moderator of the First Congregational Church since February 2013. In this last fall of her term as Moderator, she has been researching the Church History, and really looks forward to sharing it with you.

Tour of exhibit May 18th 6 pm

Moira Jones would like to encourage you to see this exhibit on Wednesday, May 18th, and is offering to conduct a tour of the exhibit for you on that day at 6 pm. Please mark this on your calendars, and get this personal tour from the person who put together the exhibit, before she leaves town at the end of this month. Moira looks forward to seeing you on the 18th!

If you missed this talk in November, you can see it online here:

Bruce MacDonald: The History and Renovation of the Smedley House

On Saturday, October 10^th at the Milne Public Library Bruce MacDonald will talk on The History and Renovation of the Smedley House. The Smedley House is the striking 1772 house at the corner of Colonial Village currently under renovation. The house’s new owner, Bruce, will discuss the historical significance of this 18th century home, its historic construction, and current renovation (detailing how the 18th century construction gets to the 23rd century).

The lecture will even include information about Bill Flynt’s dendrochronological analysis of the beams in the home that helped pinpoint a date for initial construction. Bruce is the current owner of the Smedley House. A history buff, fan of historic architecture and experienced developer, Bruce is enthusiastic about this project and has made some amazing discoveries. He is working to preserve the historic character of the Smedley home while making it livable for homeowners in 2015 and and two centuries into the future!
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