Historic Northampton

Tom Ricardi of the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway, Massachusetts Tom Ricardi is one of the nation’s most respected bird of prey rehabilitators and educators. He will bring some of the permanently injured owls, hawks, and eagles from his Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway, Massachusetts to Historic Northampton, and describe each bird’s natural history and why their populations have changed over time. A special area on the lawn closest to Ricardi will be reserved for chil

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Make your own cordage ​with educator and naturalist Fred Morrison. For thousands of years, cultures around the world have made cordage with natural materials, especially plant fibers. In this hands-on workshop, naturalist Fred Morrison will demonstrate a technique for manually processing the native plant known commonly as Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum) into cordage. All participants will have the opportunity to make their own cordage and bring home extra materials to continue at home. Ages 10

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

This tour is filled to capacity. Join us on this walking tour of the Bridge Street Cemetery, where we will travel through centuries of Northampton history. ​By learning to “read” gravestones, we can better understand the lives of those who walked before us — in our case, solemn Puritans, hopeful citizens of the new republic, and sentimental Victorians. ​ Tour guide Jamie Mastrogiacomo is a master’s student in Public History at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She graduated from Smith Col

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Burt's Pit and Greenway Photograph by Laurie Sanders Co-director and naturalist Laurie Sanders will lead a walk to Burt’s Pit, one of the most ecologically, geologically and historically significant properties within the City’s conservation holdings. The property includes the city’s only extant bog, a network of trails, and a history of ownership that will dazzle. There aren't many places in America where so many different strands of history come together; this is one of them. This 1.5 mile walk

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 23, 2026

2:00 pm: A Zoom Panel Discussion Cyanotype photograph of Angel De Cora Collection of Historic Northampton Hinųk Max̄iwi-Kerenąka (Winnebago/Ho-Chunk) whose name means “She Returns to the Sky” was also known by her English name Angel De Cora. She was an influential artist and illustrator, designer, teacher, and the first Native American graduate of Smith College (class of 1896). She brought Native American imagery into the graphic arts in respectful and resonant ways. Join us as we honor De Cora’

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area Photograph by Laurie Sanders Co-director and naturalist Laurie Sanders will lead a walk to Burt’s Pit, one of the most ecologically, geologically and historically significant properties within the City’s conservation holdings. The property includes the city’s only extant bog, a network of trails, and a history of ownership that will dazzle. There aren't many places in America where so many different strands of history come together; this is one of them. This 1.5

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 23, 2026

A Festive Musical Celebration on the lawn near the Shepherd Barn Acapella Music ~ Spooky Dances Gourmet Candy Raffle ~ Kid's Costume Contest Free. Donations encouraged. ​All proceeds benefit the Hampshire Support Alliance. Good Neighbors Paint Good Fences

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Join the Painting Party! No painting experience needed! All supplies provided. Only 150 brushes available! The first 30 people get a FREE painter’s hat. With your help, we'll paint 300 feet of fence in one hour! Made in the Valley: 19th Century Music for Viols and Voices from the Connecticut River Valley Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 7:00 pm​ Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence 220 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060​ Sliding Scale Admission: $15-50 Scrolls of bass viols by Abraham Pre

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

A Walking Tour with Elizabeth Sharpe of Historic Northampton Composite Photograph of the South Side of Main Street Elizabeth Sharpe, co-director of Historic Northampton and historian, will lead a walking tour of downtown Northampton in conjunction with the exhibit, Making it on Main Street. Sponsored by Joe's Cafe Registration: Pre-registration required.  Limited to 15. Fee: $8 members & donors $12 non-members

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Oct 2, 2026

At the 1805 Shepherd Barn, 66 Bridge Street, Northampton, Mass.​ Limited to 30. ​Sliding scale admission: $10-25. Join timber framer, architect, and barn historian Jack Sobon for a special one-hour "tour" of the Shepherd barn. Jack will point out the clues that reveal the structure's previous "lives" and uses. As a special bonus, Jack will give a show-and-tell of some barn tools and artifacts from his collection. In 2020-2021, Sobon examined the construction and carpentry of the Shepherd barn fo

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

In person at Historic Northampton ​and online as a virtual event on Zoom.​ Steve Waksman Photo by Karen Brown Steve Waksman, the “Doctor of Rock,” will soon be moving from Northampton to begin a five-year research project in England on how sound amplification technologies have impacted music, live events, political activism, and culture. Before leaving the area, Waksman will share his story, which includes: his early fascination with music, playing in a local band, and his teaching and research

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 23, 2026

Photograph by Rob Weir Rob Weir puts the “story” back into history with his new book, Who Knew? Roadside Revelations in Western Massachusetts. Dr. Weir will tell the fascinating tales behind places and objects that we pass by but barely notice, including the West Street monument and the Adams Farm memorial on Florence Road. He will describe his sleuthing methods for separating fact from fiction. Got a question about a monument in western Massachusetts? This would be a good time to ask. Register

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Hear the words they wrote in their letters, poems, and diaries that are archived in our collections: hear from parents sending their child off to college, a girl witnessing the dawn of moviemaking, and a soldier seeing battle for the first time. Registration is required. Each walk is limited to 20 participants. Sliding scale admission: $10-20. A Walking Tour of Bridge Street Cemetery with Emma Winter Zeig of Historic Northampton

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Author and Professor of Theatre Kiki Smith will discuss her new book, Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore. ​The book focuses on a neglected subject: the everyday clothing of ordinary American women. In her illustrated talk, Smith will show garments and accessories from the collections of Smith College and Historic Northampton and describe how the clothing reveals information about the era and the women who made, bought, and wore them. For those attending in person, clothing fr

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Collections Spotlight: Cash or Credit? A Look at Payments for Goods and Services on Main Street from the 18th Century to the Present Join collections manager Kelsy Sinelnikov for a look at objects in the collection related to banking and commerce. Discover what you could buy in exchange for a cord of wood or maybe a chicken in 1869 by looking at local account books. Examine 18th and 19th century paper money issued by local banks before a national currency took its place. Finally, discuss the ris

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

J.M. Sorrell will tell the nearly forty-year-long story of Northampton Pride. In 1982, a small group of local and student activists organized the first annual Northampton Lesbian and Gay Liberation March. Walkers gathered at the Bridge Street School lawn and marched down Main Street to Pulaski Park where a rally was held.  Sorrell started marching and volunteering to help organize the march in its second year. Nearly forty years later, Main Street is still the route--but now in reverse to the Th

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Historic Northampton’s costume collection includes a remarkable FIVE tea gowns—a garment developed during the Aesthetic Movement in the latter decades of the 19th century not for wearing out to a tea party, but for “artistic” women to wear in relaxed situations in the home. In a PowerPoint presentation featuring extant garments and period images, fashion historian Lynne Bassett will explain the etiquette of dressing for tea in public and in private, the history of the tea gown, and how social is

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Sunset & the Rise of the Beaver Moon Meg Thacher, Astronomer and Laurie Sanders, Co-director of Historic Northampton and Naturalist Join Smith College astronomer Meg Thacher and co-director Laurie Sanders for an amble down an ancient road into the Meadows to enjoy both the sunset and rise of the full moon.  Meg will have telescopes on hand to take closer looks at the moon, Jupiter, Saturn and several impressive star clusters and double stars. Sponsored by Northeast Solar Registration Pre-registr

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

Northampton State Hospital Join Tom Riddell and Barbara Blumenthal, both longtime members of the Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee and current trustees of Historic Northampton, on a walking tour of the former campus of the Northampton State Hospital. Learn about the property's human and institutional history. Pre-registration is required. Each tour is limited to 20. Sliding Scale Admission: $5-20. Who Knew: Roadside Revelations in Western Massachusetts A Zoom Presentation by Rob Weir

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

A Talk and Demonstration by John Sacerdote of the Amherst Railway Society John Sacerdote will demonstrate how he constructed the twelve-foot long model of Northampton’s Main Street as it appeared in 1847.  The model is the centerpiece of the exhibit Making it on Main Street which will be on view until June 2021. Using slides, Sacerdote will first describe the process he used to make some of the 50 buildings.  Then he will demonstrate making a building and show the specialty tools and supplies ne

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

A Walking Tour by Rich Parasiliti, Tree Warden for the City of Northampton Approximately 11,000 shade trees grow within public right-of-way that the City of Northampton holds along its streets and Rich Parasiliti, the City’s tree warden, is responsible for the protection and welfare of all of them.  On this walking tour, Tree Warden Rich Parasiliti will highlight some of his all-time favorite trees in downtown, describing their life history and significance and the multiple values of shade trees

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

A Public Talk by Tree Expert Bob Leverett To honor Northampton’s trees and the multiple benefits they bring to our lives, Bob Leverett will highlight Northampton's wealth of big championship quality trees as well as some of our special forests. Trees enhance our health, clean our air and water, calm and cool our streets and inspire us with their beauty. They are a major factor in removing carbon from the air, helping to slow climate change. Sponsored by King and Cushman Insurance Registration Re

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026

​A Public Gathering Following Bob Leverett’s programs, all are welcome to gather at the sugar maple near the Historic Parsons House and consider this tree’s history--who has passed by during its life time, what are some of the major changes that have taken place since it took root. We will read some tree-related poetry and toast its life with small samples of maple syrup. Sponsored by King and Cushman Insurance

Source: historicnorthampton.org · Last verified Mar 19, 2026