Shelburne Historical Society - (413) 625-6150

The Historical Society dedicated their organization to collect, preserve and interpret articles of historical interest to the Town of Shelburne and mark historic sites.

The Society

The Shelburne Historical Society was founded in 1963 and its museum, at the corner of Church and Maple Streets in Shelburne Falls, opened in 1974. The 85 charter members of the Historical Society dedicated their organization to collect, preserve and interpret articles of historical interest to the Town of Shelburne and mark historic sites.
After its founding, the Historical Society’s membership quickly grew to over 300, but it was faced with the twin problems of limited funds and a lack of permanent home with adequate space. In 1971, a generous bequest from Earl Newhall, one of the society’s charter members, provided the society with an endowment sufficient to refurbish and maintain the abandoned Arms Academy school building, which it bought from the town for $1.

The Building

The museum itself is an architectural treasure. Designed by Eugene C. Gardner, it was built in 1880 as a private school at the cost of $18,000. Like the local library and cemetery, it was funded funded by Ira Arms, a wealthy benefactor of the town. The building is a classic of its era, with natural and color-gazed brick exterior, a slate roof featuring unique eyebrow vents and topped with a handsome open bell tower that is still operational. Its internal structure of massive wooden beams allows its open-plan floors to extend the full width of the building, and its oversized windows provide an astonishingly bright interior.

The Collections

The museum's collections, mainly acquired through local donations, principally illustrate how life was lived in a small manufacturing village and its surrounding farming communities from the later part of the 18th century through the early part of the 20th century (the Town of Shelburne was incorporated in 1768). The span of time covers the rise and fall of water-power based manufacturing, small farms and one-room schools.
Memorabilia from the old Arms Academy occupies a large room set up as a classroom. It is a favorite exhibit of former Arms students.
The museum houses a rich variety of household utensils that contrast with the farming, carpentry and tradesmen's tools. Its costume collection is primarily home-sewn. A collection of children's toys illustrates simple diversions. The coming of the industrial age is symbolized by a massive mechanical bank-clock that ticks off the month, days and time.
Exhibits of locally manufactured cutlery and flatware highlight the history of local industry, while specimens of old china (including a sizable collection of Majolica) and household furnishings trace changes in taste over time.

Library and Photographs

The museum's physical collection is supplemented by a library and extensive photographic record of the community, including the work of Jonas K. Patch and his son, who operated a portrait and general photographic studio in Shelburne Falls from 1850 to 1934. The work of photographer Herbert R. Ashworth, who took over the Patch studio. continues the record from 1934 to 1965. Earl Newhall, the Society's major benefactor, was also a talented amateur photographer and many of his photographs, including a notable series of pictures of local churches, supplement the work of the professionals.
The museum library contains records of local businesses documenting the wages and prices of the eras in handwritten ledgers. These records, genealogical materials, and both unpublished and published historical volumes are available for research.

Tags: Historical Place