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West Springfield, History Tour
November 2 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm EDT
Join us for a tour of West Springfield’s museums on Saturday, November 2 from 10 AM – 4 PM!
The Women of Western Mass History Trail will feature the history of the influential women across West Springfield and Agawam, from the four Day Sisters to Minerva Davis to Helen Storrow. These women all had major impacts on not just the Pioneer Valley’s history but the country’s history, and this trail will share their stories. It will also highlight the lives of women from the 18th century through to the 20th century, showing the realities of what it took to survive in drastically different time periods.
Tours are free, but donations are accepted at each location.
Download the event brochure here.
Locations
Storrowton Village Museum
1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA 01089
(Enter through Gate 1 & ask for directions)
(413) 205-5051
storrowtonvillage.com
Storrowton Village Museum is a collection of 18th and 19th century buildings from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with various programs throughout the year.
Storrowton Village will host an additional free event this day featuring blacksmithing demonstrations where you can watch local blacksmiths demonstrate their skills and provide a live glimpse into 19th century life.
Accessibility: The Union Meeting House and Blacksmith Shop at Storrowton Village are both wheelchair accessible. Audio tours are available outside of buildings, and can be used by scanning a QR code. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available at this location.
Josiah Day House
70 Park Street, West Springfield, MA 01089
(Parking in Rear)
(413) 636-1616
josiahdayhouse.com
The Josiah Day House is a brick saltbox house built in 1754, sitting on it’s original plot of land. The Josiah Day House is full of 18th century history and covers the story of the prominent Day Family.
Accessibility: The Josiah Day House is not wheelchair accessible, but does feature an audio tour at the exterior of the house that can be accessed by scanning a QR Code.
Thomas Smith House
Eastern States Exposition Museum
1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA 01089
(Enter through Gate 1 & ask for directions)
(413) 205-5051
https://www.thebige.com/p/thingstodo/esewalkthroug…
The Eastern States Exposition Museum represents a culmination of the unique history of the organization. From its origins in 1916 to latest and greatest entertainment at the Big E, the Museum covers a wide range of topics.
Accessibility: The ESE Museum is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available at this location.
Captain Charles Leonard House
Built 1805 as a stage tavern. Restored in 1939 by Minerva Davis for use as Agawam’s Community House.
History on the Go
The Pioneer Valley History Network (PVHN) presents “History on the Go” for 2024. “History on the Go” brings together historical institutions in an area to create a “trail,” on a coordinated day and time, for the history-loving public to follow. This will allow our smaller historical museums and institutions open their doors to a wider public and strut their stuff!
Learn more at https://pioneervalleyhistorynetwork.org/