The Stone House Museum 1903 – 2024

FREE IN-PERSON EVENT Sponsored By Country Bank

September 14, 2024
9:30 -4:00
20 Maple St, Belchertown, MA 01007

Living History Day – sponsored by Country Bank
Come spend the day walking around the Stone House Museum grounds and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of life 250 years ago during the Revolutionary War period.

The Green Valley Homestead Reenactment group will host the event and has invited several talented artisans from across the state to demonstrate their skills and display and sell their wares.

Schedule

9:30 am Gates Open

10:30 – 11:30 Lecture: Respectful Restoration of a Historic House by Historian Tom Allen

12:00 – 12:30 Soldier’s Musket Demonstration by Living Historian Richard Exckert

12:30 – 1:30 Lecture: Nonfiction Story About Bathsheba Sooner: A Revolutionary Murder Conspiracy by Author Andrew Noone

2:00 – 3:00 Lecture: Pre-Industrial Farming by Historian Tom Allen

All Day: Don Madden: Collection on the event known as Daniel Shay’s Rebellion

Ongoing Demonstrations by our talented living historians Include:

Tinsmithing Demonstrations: Richard Eckert
Basketmaking: Dennis Pickard
Textile Production: Lynne White
Candle Making Demonstration: Chandelier Josh Dummit
Copperplate Engraving Demonstration: Printer Andy Volpe
Chocolate Production: Chocolatier Robert Lecce
Agriculture and Farming: David and Heather Lieber and family plus animals
Children’s Activities and Games: Holly Eckert and Hailey Ahearn
Cooking and Cheesemaking Demonstration: Caren Harrington and Jennifer McCardell Green

The talented artisans will also be selling their wares to the public.

In addition:

• Explore the Ford Annex’s amazing collection of carriages and tools.
• Visit the Sentinel building, which was home to the original Belchertown paper.
• Tour the Stone House Museum’s house with special exhibits featuring Revolutionary War memorabilia.

Learn about Belchertown’s deep, historic connection to China with Cliff McCarthy.

On Monday, August 5th at 6:30pm, come to the Clapp Memorial Library for “Belchertown’s Connection with China,” a presentation by Cliff McCarthy, Stone House Museum archivist and author/editor of several books on Belchertown’s history. Belchertown has a deep, historic connection to China. Elijah Coleman Bridgman was the first American Protestant missionary to China beginning in the 1830s. He and his Connecticut-born spouse devoted their lives to bridging the chasm between the two worlds. Then in the 1870s, a group of Chinese students came to live in Belchertown as part of the innovative experiment called the “Chinese Educational Mission.”

 

The annual member Cocktail Party was held on Sunday August 4th after being postponed in June.  It was an evening of cocktails, and mingling with other members while sampling the varied appetizers under the tents. What could be better than raffle prizes, good food, delicious drinks and friendly faces on an early summer evening? Despite warm temps, a few sprinkles rain or mosquitos, it was definitely a good time!!  This event is an opportunity for the Board of Trustees to treat and thank the members for their continued support of the organization.

 

The board of trustees hosted its annual ice cream social on the grounds of the museum. Reminiscent of times past, guests gathered on the lawn under the shade of our maple trees and tents to enjoy the sweet, creamy ice cream and listen to music performed by Belchertown resident Jacque Hooten as he played his guitar and to many favorite songs. Many thanks to Rondeau’s for providing the ice cream and freezer

Opening Day at the Museum—May 11 

The Stone House Museum opened for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 11^th. This annual event showcases the museum and special exhibits and reveals the history and creativity of Belchertown, past and present. Activities from 9am to 2pm offered shopping opportunities, including a plant sale with both annuals and perennials, our legendary Old Bag Sale, and crafts and artwork by local artisans. Tours of the Stone House Museum (free to all), the Memorial Garden, and the Demonstration Garden were also provided throughout the family-friendly day.